![Kay Burley and minister Rachel Maclean](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/651132eb2400001a00b0b240.jpg?cache=4CmQ9Yr0Rw&ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Rachel Maclean was left red-faced after she ended up contradicting the governmentβs recent statements on HS2 this morning.
HS2, the high-speed rail project at the heart of the Conservative pledge to level up the country, has made headlines after reports that the government is thinking of scrapping sections of it.
Defence secretary Grant Shapps told the media on Sunday that it was βirresponsible to keep ploughing money into the HS2 projectβ, suggesting it would be βcrazyβ not to review the soaring costs.
Sky Newsβ Kay Burley then asked Maclean on Monday morning when the public can expect more details on an announcement around HS2.
She replied: βIβm not expecting any announcement in particular, when there is an announcement it will come forward.β
Burley asked: βSo there isnβt going to be an announcement?β
The MP replied: βI donβt know if thereβs going to be an announcement or not.β
As she was reminded of the defence secretaryβs recent comments around funding for HS2, Maclean said sheβs just seen βspeculationβ in the media and that the chancellor and prime minister have to consider the costs around such a project.
She added: βOur focus is on delivering HS2.β
The Sky News host responded: βAh, so Grant Shapps is wrong? So your focus at the moment is on delivering HS2? All of this speculation is incorrect?β
Maclean insisted: β³The focus is on delivering HS2.β
Burley asked if that meant the government were also focused on transport for the north-west β and if the northern section of the high-speed railway would be safe.
Maclean replied: βAs I said, Iβm not here to make an announcement about HS2. Youβre asking me about speculation that was in the media.β
The Sky News host pushed, again: βOK, just to clarify, youβre pausing it not cancelling it?β
βNo, there is no announcement at the moment,β Maclean said. βYouβre asking me about speculation and reporting. Itβs not for me to say, Iβm the housing minister.β
βYouβre representing the government,β Burley pointed out.
But Maclean just maintained that it was not for her to make an announcement about the progress of HS2.
She added that the chancellor Jeremy Hunt was right to keep reviewing funds at a time when finances are under pressure.
She was also asked on Times Radio that if HS2 is cancelled, levelling up will still stand. Maclean replied, saying "absolutely", and pointed to a series of other community projects around the UK which are linked to its central policy.
"As a government minister I always worry about every penny," she said.