JIM RATCLIFFE, founder of the fracking company Ineos, has called for the safeguards on earth tremors caused by fracking to be relaxed.

This must concern Ryedale’s MP Kevin Hollinrake, who has repeatedly said he would only support fracking if monitored by “gold standard” regulation.

I hope his constituents can look forward to public reassurances from Mr Hollinrake, on his website and in local newspapers, that he is actively opposed to any weakening of safeguards for our environment.

Anyone who still believes that fracking would bring financial benefits to local communities should reflect on how the tax-avoiding Mr Ratcliffe – now resident in Monaco – became the UK’s richest person.

Dr Peter Williams, Malton.