The leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, said at the time that the county had got nearly 20 projects "past the point of no return", before the school revamps were halted.

BBC: South East schools get ?32m boost

Jeffs is being guarded by armed Mohave County deputies, Carter said.

NPR: Jailed Polygamist Leader Jeffs Hospitalized

The letter was signed by Mr Carter, Martin Tett from Buckinghamshire County Council and Hampshire County Council's leader, Ken Thornber.

BBC: Paul Carter

In a letter to the transport minister seen by BBC South East, the Conservative leader of Kent County Council (KCC) Paul Carter said a report the authority had commissioned from independent consultants clearly stated that train paths to and from London for Kent travellers were "already fully utilised".

BBC: TfL's takeover proposal for Kent trains 'unacceptable'