Farmer threatens to take action over fuel prices

A County Durham farmer and haulier is threatening to bring Britain’s fuel supplies to a standstill, by blocking oil refineries.

Andrew Spence, who was instrumental in the 2,000 blockades which saw 3,000 petrol stations run out of fuel, has pledged his support for truck drivers who are fed up with rocketing fuel prices.

The livestock farmer, who also runs a plant in Consett, County Durham, says thousands of truck drivers are preparing to block refineries to stop soldiers moving fuel around the UK.

Talks are due to take place this week between the Unite union and leaders representing hauliers to resolve a threatened strike by truck drivers, who are angry over work terms and safety issues.

But if the Unite union calls a walkout of its drivers, Mr Spence has formed an alliance with other hauliers who would blockade oil refineries and scupper government attempts use Army drivers to move fuel around the country in the event of a strike.

Mr Spence said truck drivers and farmers are furious with the government about the spiralling cost of diesel and some were going out of business as a result.

“We have been in negotiations with the tanker drivers since 2000. We have said to them we may have to stand beside them in any protest,” Mr Spence told the Daily Mail.

“We are better organised than in 2000. This time we will bring the government down.”

He added: “People are going to the wall. The pressure we are under is ridiculous.”

Last week, amid the threat of strike action, the government urged drivers to stockpile petrol leading to mass panic-buying of fuel across the country.

The government has since revised its advice, telling motorists there was no need to panic-buy fuel. Queues at petrol station forecourts have shortened.

Fuel prices hit record highs on Friday (30 March), with averages of 141.1p a litre for regular unleaded and 147.38p for diesel.

The AA has predicted prices at the pumps could rise by 1p this week amid the threat of strike action. However, some national newspapers are reporting that fuel could soar by as much as 10p a litre.