Union leader slams Government over West Coast rail line fiasco

A union leader attacked the Government today for blaming civil servants over the West Coast rail line fiasco, saying the treatment of staff had been “deplorable”.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said one of three people suspended from the Transport Department over the debacle was a member of the union.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The way ministers have sought to blame civil servants in the Department for Transport before any of the facts have been established has been deplorable, but sadly not out of character.

"It is entirely consistent with the way the Civil Service is being treated by many ministers as an irritation, rather than as a professional body that works to ensure the smooth running of Government.

"This professionalism is being undermined and unpicked by this Tory-led Government, which has already cut more than 35,000 staff from the Civil Service, stretching resources to the limit and putting increasing pressure on those that remain.

"We will be providing support to any PCS member affected by this and will be ensuring the inquiries fully examine all the issues, including ministerial involvement and oversight of the bidding process."

PA