But Tory Iain Stewart, who sits on the Transport Committee which is investigating the project, urged both sides to be objective.

BBC: Westminster Hall: High speed rail

Iain Stewart, the Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South and a member of the Transport Select Committee, also sounded a note of caution.

BBC: High speed rail plans condemned as high cost option

Conservative Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South), who sits on the committee, said he was finding it difficult to find reliable forecasts of future passenger demand.

BBC: Boris: "Stansted replete with potential"