Ministers on spot after panic buying starts at petrol stations

Petrol station operators said the Government appeared “intent on creating a crisis” which could see forecourts run dry within days, as some garages started rationing fuel.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude landed himself in trouble after suggesting that drivers should fill up any spare jerry cans with fuel and keep them in garages even though motoring organisations and energy firms have urged people not to panic buy.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the advice should be withdrawn because of the threat of fire, warning it would “massively increase” fire and explosion risk.

The AA said it did not advocate drivers hoarding petrol at home or in their garages. Edmund King, AA president, said: “Petrol vapours can be volatile and can be a fire risk. Filling car fuel tanks from a jerry can is difficult and can lead to dangerous spillages. Transporting or storing too much petrol can also be illegal as there are strict regulations on keeping petrol for domestic use.”

Sales of petrol yesterday were up 45 per cent on a normal Tuesday and sales of diesel up 20 per cent, in what appeared to be a sign of panic-buying by motorists, said Brian Madderson of the Retail Motor Industry Federation, which represents independent forecourt operators.

He called for the Government to show “cool heads” and stop encouraging people to stockpile fuel at a time when supplies at petrol stations are low anyway.

Prime Minister David Cameron denied he was trying to “raise the temperature”, telling a Press conference in Downing Street that the Government was delivering a “very calm, very sensible” message but there was “absolutely no justification” for a strike.

Workers in five of seven companies involved in a row over terms and conditions and safety standards have voted in favour of strikes.