An argument at a high-speed rail roadshow near Solihull in which a doctor was called a “cretin” has seen a member of the project's consultation team sacked.

Anti-HS2 protester Dr Paul Thornton, 52, was told by the woman he could not take pictures at the HS2 information event in Balsall Common on Wednesday, over the planned £17 billion London to Birmingham line.

When Dr Thornton persisted, the woman – from an events management company employed by HS2 Ltd – called him a “cretin” in the ensuing argument.

Dr Thornton, from Cromwell Lane, Burton Green, then posted an audio clip of the exchange on YouTube.

The woman has since been taken off all UK-wide roadshow events run by government-funded company HS2 Ltd, tasked with delivering the high-speed line.

The roadshows have become the latest battleground in the increasingly bitter fight between protesters and HS2 supporters over whether the 250mph route is a good idea.

Dr Thornton, who is based at city centre PCT headquarters in Greyfriars Lane and also works as a GP in Nuneaton, said: “I think this lady has been scapegoated for very visibly enforcing HS2 Ltd’s policy of not allowing photos to be taken and being totally transparent.