Jones warns Royal Mail CEO not to ‘mislead parliament’

Amid an ongoing pay dispute, representatives of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the CEO of Royal Mail, Simon Thompson, were invited on Tuesday to give evidence to the business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) select committee.

Dave Ward, CWU General secretary said: “I have to say that we’re still not confident that we’re in a place where we can reach an agreement”.

Chair of the committee, Labour MP Darren Jones, clashed with the Royal Mail CEO after he accused Mr Thompson of overseeing a confusing approach to package and letter deliveries. Mr Jones said:

Mr. Thomson, if I might politely say so. I’ve not been very pleased with your answers today. I know this is a difficult job for you, but it’s really important that you answer questions clearly – and might I say as honestly as possible, because your performance gives us grave concern about the narrative that you’ve provided today on many of my questions today, including when there’s clear evidence to the contrary