Post Office in 'crisis' over Tory delay

THE GOVERNMENT came under a barrage of criticism yesterday over the year-long delay in deciding whether to privatise the Post Office, writes Michael Harrison.

The attack was led by Mike Heron, the Post Office chairman, who warned that ministerial indecision had produced a 'sense of crisis' within the organisation.

Unless the Post Office was delivered from the highly damaging uncertainty, it faced a 'slippery slope of decline' and under-investment.

Mr Heron was backed by the former Post Office Minister, Edward Leigh, sacked from the Government in May, who accused ministers of a 'political funk' in not privatising the Royal Mail.

Michael Heseltine, President of the Board of Trade, announced his review into the future ownership of the Post Office 18 months ago and had been due to reach a decision last Christmas. It is widely thought that the Government has opted not to privatise the whole of the Post Office because of fears of a backbench rebellion.

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