GREEN campaigners accused the government yesterday of trying to “sneak through the back door of Parliament” rules that could lead to fracking in protected areas.

The new regulations represent a U-turn on a coalition decision to accept Labour demands to tighten fracking regulations, Greenpeace says.

They will allow drilling under national parks and in areas of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites and groundwater protection zones.

Greenpeace accused ministers of playing “fast and loose with democracy” as the rules are being debated by a committee of just 18 MPs and will be put to a Commons vote without a debate.

Head of energy Daisy Sands said: “They’re trying to sneak these regulations through … without any consent from the public and proper scrutiny from MPs.”