Responding to press reports surrounding an alleged conflict of interest in the award of the Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern franchises to Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

“These revelations expose the murky world of rail franchising. It is clear that the relationship between the Department for Transport, private companies who profit from our railways, and lobbying and consultancy firms is uncomfortably close.

“For complete transparency it is essential that the Secretary of State refers these allegations to the Head of the Civil Service so they can be investigated. Without a full and open investigation that addresses these alleged conflicts of interest in the awarding of the GTR franchise and other franchises suspicions will remain about how these rail contracts are awarded.

“Passengers, taxpayers and stakeholders need answers if they are to have any confidence in our railways and how they are being run.”