Tories demand Railtrack inquiry

Tories demand Railtrack inquiry

Tories demand Railtrack inquiry

Shadow transport secretary Alan Duncan is demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the government’s decision to put Railtrack into administration.

It follows an admission by former transport secretary Stephen Byers in the High Court that he did not tell MPs the truth about Railtrack.

Mr Byers was giving evidence in a case brought by 49,000 Railtrack shareholders, who allege the government forced the company into administration to avoid paying compensation costs.

“It’s now clear that whatever the verdict in court the government will still have to face the verdict of parliament,” said Mr Duncan.

“I make no judgement about the court case but it seems from all the evidence that is emerging that this is a growing scandal of government from which Stephen Byers and Gordon Brown have no escape.”