Transport Officials Suspended Over West Coast Rail 'Fiasco'

Three Department for Transport officials involved in the now-scrapped West Coast rail franchise competition have been suspended, the department said today.

The competition to run trains on the West Coast Main Line was cancelled following the discovery of "significant technical flaws" in the way the franchise process was conducted, at a cost of £40m.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning it was revealed that the DfT will no longer be awarding a franchise contract to run the West Coast service to FirstGroup when the current franchise expires in December.

A DfT spokesman said: "Three officials involved in the West Coast franchise competition were today suspended by the Permanent Secretary while the full facts are established. No further details will be issued at this time about the suspensions."

Speaking on Wednesday morning Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, refused to say sorry for the debacle, pinning blame of Department for Transport officials.

"I'm not going to apologise for the terrible mistake that has been made by the Department," he said.

"I want to make sure what lessons need to be learnt from what went wrong with this have not been repeated in those particular franchises.

"I want to make it absolutely clear that neither FirstGroup nor Virgin did anything wrong. The fault of this lies wholly and squarely with the Department for Transport.

McLoughlin was not transport secretary at the time the initial decision was taken, but was moved to the job in the recent cabinet reshuffle.

In his cabinet shake-up David Cameron moved Justine Greening from the DfT to the international development department. All the other Tory ministers in the DfT were also moved out of the department at the same time. Lib Dem Norman Baker remained.

The now scrapped deal would have seen Sir Richard Branson's train company lose its West Coast franchise.

Sir Richard had mounted a legal challenge to the decision by the Department for Transport (DfT) to award a new 13-year franchise for the West Coast not to Virgin Rail but to rival transport company FirstGroup.

The mistake is a huge embarrassment for the government, coming the day after Ed MIliband sharply criticised it for performing multiple U-Turns and for being "incompetent".

Speaking this morning the Labour leader described the West Coast Main Line decision as a "fiasco".

Miliband told BBC Radio 5 Live: "When you look at the latest fiasco with the West Coast Main Line - another Government screw-up, another Government mistake, another case of them blaming someone else, apparently they are saying it is the fault of their civil servants - I think competence is an issue."

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Labour Party leader Ed Miliband kisses his wife Justine
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband kisses his wife Justine after delivering his keynote speech to delegates at Manchester Central during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday October 2, 2012. Photo credit should read: Dave Thompson/PA Wire
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband kisses his wife Justine Thornton after delivering his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference at Manchester Central on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine Thornton laugh in stage after he delivered his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband is joined on stage by wife Justine Thornton as acknowledges the applause after his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband is joined on stage by his wife Justine Thornton as acknowledges the applause after his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates at Manchester Central during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates at Manchester Central during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband acknowledges the applause as he delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates at Manchester Central during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband walks on stage to deliver his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband is expected to announce a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates at Manchester Central during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband delivers his keynote speech to delegates at Manchester Central during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine arrive at Manchester Central ahead of his keynote speech to delegates during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine arrive at Manchester Central ahead of his keynote speech to delegates during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine arrive at Manchester Central ahead of his keynote speech to delegates during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Annual Conference 2012
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine arrive at Manchester Central ahead of his keynote speech to delegates during the third day of the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband stands under back stage lighting during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. Mr Miliband is due to deliver his keynote speach to delegates this afternoon where he is expected to announce a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Leader Ed Miliband and wife Justine Thornton arrive at the conference centre on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. Mr Miliband is due to deliver his keynote speach to delegates this afternoon where he is expected to announce a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Leader Ed Miliband and wife Justine Thornton arrive at the conference centre on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. Mr Miliband is due to deliver his keynote speach to delegates this afternoon where he is expected to announce a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-LABOUR
Britain's Opposition Labour party leader Ed Miliband (R) and his wife Justine arrive for the third day of the annual Labour Party Conference in Manchester, north-west England, on October 2, 2012. Miliband is expected to address the conference later Tuesday. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-LABOUR
Britain's Opposition Labour party leader Ed Miliband (R) and his wife Justine arrive for the third day of the annual Labour Party Conference in Manchester, north-west England, on October 2, 2012. Miliband is expected to address the conference later Tuesday. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Leader Ed Miliband and wife Justine Thornton arrive at the conference centre on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. Mr Miliband is due to deliver his keynote speach to delegates this afternoon where he is expected to announce a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-LABOUR
Britain's Opposition Labour party leader Ed Miliband (R) and his wife Justine arrive for the third day of the annual Labour Party Conference in Manchester, north-west England, on October 2, 2012. Miliband is expected to address the conference later Tuesday. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)
Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Labour Party leader Ed Miliband acknowledges the applause as he delivers his keynote speech to delegates during the annual Labour Party Conference on October 02, 2012 in Manchester, England. During his speech Mr. Miliband announced a series of proposals for changes to the education system, unveiling plans for a new qualification in the form of a technical baccalaureate, and pledging to transform the lives of the 'forgotten' 50% of young people who do not go to university. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

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HUFFPOST SUPER USER

geordieminer

31 Fans

11:56 AM on 10/05/2012

Bad enough they have cocked this franchise up. But more worrying is the thought that these people are looking at contracts for the NHS. GOD HELP US & QUICKLY before they damage it as well

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Charley007

41 Fans

12:43 PM on 10/04/2012

Here we go moreoverpaid civil servants getting their gruby fingers smacked.
It is time for the civil service to brought into line with the rest of the commercial world let them earn their money.

Upharto

60 Fans

12:37 PM on 10/04/2012

40 bloody million,40 bloody million,and this government will brush this fiasco under the carpet as though nothing has happened,Justin Greening was adamant that this was a fair and correct way the tenders had been accepted,Richard Branson smealt a rat strait away and rightly so lodged an objection,its because of governments miss spending and miss management that have caused a portion of this recession, yet they expect the public ti take the responsibility for their mistakes,the people who are responsible for this enormous error should not be suspended but should be sacked.

Dontholdyourbreath

36 Fans

12:31 PM on 10/04/2012

Well at least it`s put a temporary halt to all of the bile and venom aimed at Ed following his speech, at least he hit the nail on the head when he said that this is the most incompetent administration in living memory, I am ashamed to see the affairs of state being handled by Cameron Clegg and Co.

Funnily enough , was it Beecham who slashed the network, I remember when you could get to almost anywhere in the UK by train, true you would have to be prepared to have overnight stops in unheated dim cold waiting rooms, in order to travel a couple of hundred miles, the rolling stock was quaint with a unique smell to it, carriages with compartments three classes of passenger, indeed some carriage doors were capable of opening straight out onto the track, still the pace of life was no where near as frantic then.

westerman111

50 Fans

11:48 AM on 10/04/2012

i loved the comment made by some ex senior civil servant this morning, that this problem has been caused by the fact that the civil servants are not paid enough! if they had higher wages then there would be no mistakes.

nearly there

75 Fans

12:29 PM on 10/04/2012

Yes, it reminds me of the expenses scandal.....if politicians were paid more they wouldn't need to fiddle their expenses.
You couldn't make it up, but THEY do all the time andthinkwe don't notice.

11:02 AM on 10/05/2012

i agree, i always laugh when they come out and say that they need at least £100,000 a year not £67,000, as it will ensure that they get the right calibre of person to become an MP.
so does this mean they are saying the majority today are rubbish?
the other argument they make is that they have become a MP because they want to help, they care etc. Well if you have been earning a fortune and you want to give then you would do it for the lower sum. if you are just an ordinary chap on the average wage then you will be getting a huge increase.
If you look at all three leaders and their many `close` colleagues you will see they have really done nothing else then be a professional MP, worked in politics.

i find labour to be the worst, i remember when the majority of their MP`s were ex miners, Ship builders, factory workers etc. now they are nearly all ex, public school, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Graduates with a degree in PPE

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Eljaywa

247 Fans

01:38 PM on 10/04/2012

Yes it's amazing. Many of the senior civil servants working on these bid evaluations are getting over £100k a year plus bonuses. Is the guy saying that for an extra ten grand they would have done the job properly?!

10:56 AM on 10/05/2012

actually i believe he is suggesting they have their wages doubled!

Philduck

11:37 AM on 10/04/2012

No big deal. It is only going to cost the tax-payer £40m so no need for a government apology.

In the interim It is possible the line will be run by a government holding company, 'Directly Operated Railways'. They have run the East Coast Main Line service since National Express defaulted on its franchise contract.
So, a kind of 'back-door' temporary nationalisation?
This bunch of posh-boys really don't know what they are doing...except making themselves and their mates richer.

dough370

10 Fans

11:07 AM on 10/04/2012

All Tory ministers were removed from dept, sounds like they knew a fiddle was taking place and changed all the staff just in case it came out. Only a Lib Dem remains in place, we all know who the Torys are going to blame then.

ndjohnson767

43 Fans

11:03 AM on 10/04/2012

...and what about Justine Greening's role in all this???.......was she "conveniently" moved just prior to these revelations in the hope that would obviate her responsibility???
......and has someone already commented, no doubt the three civil servants in question have been suspended on full pay (at our expense) while the matter is investigated; but the tax-payer is going to have to stump up some £40M to compensate each of those companies that submitted a tender. The whole thing is an absolute disgrace and is yet another example of gross incompetence that we the tax-payer are ending up paying for FAILURE!!!!!!!!
Still a hollow apology will put everything right?? Most defintely NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11:14 AM on 10/04/2012

Yes, Richard Branson obviously got wind of something untoward going on. He doesn't just decide to spend money on legal action unless he's sure of his ground.
So, if he was able to sniff out a problem, why weren't the ministers responsible able to do the same ?
Something smells here and it's looking like the lackeys are being lined up to take the heat.

11:28 AM on 10/04/2012

The expression: "back-handers" springs to mind; otherwise why did they not assess the bids with due dilligence, after all, isn't that what they are supposed to do - their job; their responsibility??
Had Branson not instigated legal action to contest the DfT decision, which rather surprisingly (NOT) prompted a "sudden" internal audit into this bidding process, this whole affair might well have ended up being conveniently swept under the carpet; no doubt along with the "Parliamentary Enquiry" into the banking scandal - because that's exactly where that enquiry is destined.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!!!

Catus

42 Fans

11:01 AM on 10/04/2012

I used to be in charge of a small workforce, reporting to higher level management, I was always told that my particular section was MY RESPONSIBILITY and I would get praise for a job well done and blame for any mistakes made by me or my team. What is it about Politicians? Are they made from teflon? It seem that nothing is ever their fault, they refuse to take responsibilty for their departments mistakes even one costing £40,000,000, it also seems strange that all of the ministers and junior ministers bar 1 LIB DEM were moved from the department just before this debacle came to light! Coincidence I DONT THINK SO cover up ALMOST DEFINITELY! It just another example of the contempt these MP's hold for the people of this country and the contemp they have for their coalition partners. Meanwhile three lesser officials are to be blamed for the failings of the Minister and his cronies!

ASJY

7 Fans

10:49 AM on 10/04/2012

Three suspended !! ON FULL PAY NO DOUBT !! and then promoted out to another department.

In the real commercial world; you would be out - end of.

12:45 PM on 10/04/2012

Yes sack them. No gold linked pensions.
They are lazy waste of space.

adwalton

8 Fans

04:32 AM on 10/05/2012

What is a gold linked pension?

04:31 AM on 10/05/2012

Where do you get the information that they will be promoted to another department? You have just made that up.

ovlov

16 Fans

09:42 AM on 10/04/2012

As weve seen at least twice in the past twelve months, probably the workers carrying the can for the boss. I dont believe anything ANY Politician says anymore, they can all lie straight to your face without any remorse.

kestrow

4 Fans

09:25 AM on 10/04/2012

I can just hear Milliband if this fiasco had arisen during a Labour Government term. NO, you have it totally wrong! It was NOT the goverment's fault, it was the CIVIL SERVICE!!
The people involved may well have been appointed by Labour.
Mealy mouthed politicians AGAIN.

martgreen2

64 Fans

09:40 AM on 10/04/2012

The only thing is though....it's during a Tory term.....and that IS what they've said.

10:20 AM on 10/04/2012

I was not making a case for the Tories! Besides, unless you haven't noticed, this a Coalition government NOT Tory!

britalia56

35 Fans

09:50 AM on 10/04/2012

wishful thinking on your part i feel, its under a tory goverment and the public expect nothing less from this bunch of chancers.

10:21 AM on 10/04/2012

See my reply to Martgreen2

pegsterboy

54 Fans

08:48 AM on 10/04/2012

So the transport secretary said ,"I'm not going to apologise for the terrible mistake that has been made by the Department"

Well pal, As head representative of THAT department, you should be apologising.

Once again another display of the lack of responsibilty and sheer arrogance of these Govt officials. Clearly money does not buy intelligence or good manners.

09:44 AM on 10/04/2012

pegsterboy

The clown actually did apologise a number of times on TV yesterday morning..... before he announced that he wouldn't apologise ?????

12:08 PM on 10/04/2012

A U turn then!!! haha. Not like them.

coady12

38 Fans

08:44 AM on 10/04/2012

it has happenned before it will happen again

Sickofpoliticians2

240 Fans

08:26 AM on 10/04/2012

Its all bent, privatization of our nationalized industries was put in place to give the public sector access to lucrative backhanders from which they were excluded previously. My take on this is Sir Richard, bless him, was handed the WCML to compensate him for the loss of the national lottery contract as free money must only go to the chosen people, Richy being an ex barrow boy has to actually do something for his cut of the spoils. Meanwhile the number shifting game is in place so government can borrow ever more on the strength of the figures, 40 million gets you 400 million in banker terms, deal falls through and the numbers revert back to the originating hard drives and government hands over taxpayer cash as a "bonus" for execs of the "competing" companies. Now Richy was probably on a promise from those on high, (and I dont mean anyone in government or a deity) that this west coast franchise would be his forever more, but some pleb in the DOT couldn't read or Richy's name hadn't been hilighted, and so the wrong box was ticked. Rich was miffed and began complaining, it was then that whoever was on their holidays when the box was ticked realized the error and reversed all decisions as Richy's backhander to their bank account hadn't arrived. Welcome to the business world of incompetent UK PLC.

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Transport Officials Suspended Over West Coast Rail 'Fiasco'

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband kisses his wife Justine

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Annual Conference 2012

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

BRITAIN-POLITICS-LABOUR

BRITAIN-POLITICS-LABOUR

Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

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Labour Conference Focuses On Leader's Speech

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