Minister slammed over snow as Mayor admits: 'I could be in trouble over this'

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond was accused of "breathtaking complacency" today after hundreds of thousands were stranded by the snow for a third day.

Passengers were forced to sleep on trains, hundreds of flights were cancelled and roads across the capital were left icy and impassable.

MPs attacked Mr Hammond's "inadequate" response to the big freeze that has gripped the country for eight days. It came as London suffered yet more transport chaos and Boris Johnson came under pressure to take personal charge of the crisis.

The Commons held an emergency session this afternoon to debate the air, rail and road meltdown after Mr Hammond ordered an inquiry how the network was crippled.

Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle told him: "The Secretary of State is exhibiting a breathtaking degree of complacency. He is not filling the House with any kind of confidence that he is dealing with his responsibilities adequately."

Mr Hammond denied that the Government had been complacent about the snowy weather. He said: "I recognise the frustration and indeed anger of many people who have been stranded and had their lives disrupted over the last 48 hours."

Mr Johnson faced calls to explain why he went to Zurich to support England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Asked why he was not in London as hundreds were forced to sleep on trains, flights were cancelled and roads across the capital were left icy and impassable, the Mayor said: "We have virtually cornered the world market in Egyptian salt and we are sitting on a kind of salt mountain."

His official spokesman said: "What else would he do other than get a shovel and move the snow himself? There's nothing he could do in London he can't do from here."

Widely-predicted blizzards and freezing temperatures caused more chaos today. More than 250,000 people were affected at Gatwick as it remained closed for a second day. Passengers had to sleep at the airport as nearby hotels filled up. London City airport's runway remained closed this morning.

Hundreds of train services in London were cancelled and 300 commuters were stranded overnight on a train between London and Brighton. Some slept overnight at Victoria station.

Tube passengers faced major delays due to signalling problems caused by the weather.

There were severe morning rush-hour delays on the Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines. The Overground was part-suspended.

Virtually no cabs were on the streets and many buses were diverted to avoid the iciest roads. Many back roads were either gridlocked or impassable.

London's courts were brought to a standstill, with many of the Old Bailey's 18 courts closed after jailers decided not to risk adverse road conditions and transport prisoners to court.

Last week the Mayor said the capital was "about as well prepared as we possibly can be" for the snowy weather. Transport aide Kulveer Ranger unveiled a salt mountain he vowed would keep London motoring.

Today, the Mayor was overheard telling an aide as he faced calls to be seen to take charge: "I may well be in trouble about this."

Shadow transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "Clear early warnings from the Met Office that a very serious cold snap was coming appear to have been missed, making Boris's reassurances ring a bit hollow."

A TfL spokesman said: "Our fleet of 38 gritters and 10 quad bikes have been at work through night and day, spreading nearly 1,195 tonnes of grit on roads and pavements. Across London roads have been kept moving, though there are some delays where conditions mean traffic is moving slowly."