ChronicleLive previously published two articles headlined ‘Duke of Northumberland denies attempt to ‘profit’ from rail project’ and ‘Scrooge McDuke’ over £600,000-a-year demands that could scupper railway plan' and inaccurately reported upon the public enquiry.

The articles inaccurately alleged that the Duke of Northumberland was ‘demanding £600,000 of rent’ as a condition of allowing the Northumberland Line rail project and threatening to derail the project if he was not paid. We accept that neither allegation was accurate. We are happy to clarify this and would like to apologise to the Duke of Northumberland.