PRIME Minister and Witney MP David Cameron hailed investment in county rail services in a Commons spat with former Labour Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Blackburn MP Mr Straw – who has a home in Mr Cameron’s constituency – said he was “astonished” a number of First TransPennine Express two-coach, diesel units, for the northern services will be transferred to the Chiltern Railways.

Mr Cameron said at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday that he would “look carefully” at the decision but pointed to other rail improvements, including the electrification of the TransPennine line.