First West Coast

[mbonwick]

RE: First West Coast
Not sure if this has sort of been answered, but here's my take on things;

The DfT cannot legally sign any sort of contract with First once a Judicial Review has been mounted. Only once said review has been either rejected or concluded can they sign.
They are however allowed to informally tell First to carry on with administrative tasks so that the handover can take place as intended.

I'd also guess that the refusal to grant an emergency debate is because the Select Committies will be examining the deal soon, and because the petition has already gone to the Backbench Business Committee for potential timetabling. If it doesn't get time and Tim Farron asks again once the Select Committies have questioned people, then I bet it will get debated. Either way there is no way it can just be 'swept under the carpet'

Quote from WNXX forum on some details of Virgin's challenge;

Quote:There are three possible grounds on which to request a judicial review for such a contract. Only one is needed to lodge the complaint. Virgin's lawyer is lodging complaints on all three grounds. Read the ITT, read the DfTs procedures, then look at the scores awarded and draw your own conclusions. The Guardian is reporting that this will very likely throw all future franchise timetables out of the window. This will not be as straightforward as some think.

The grounds are;

Illegality

Irrationality

Procedural Impropriety


The Select Committee is also sitting in a few days and Tim O'Toole, Justine Greening (if She is still in the job) Richard Branson, and one would hope some DFT civil servants will be called as witnesses. Branson has already confirmed he will be flying back to give his evidence. Allegedly including reams of minutes from various meetings over the last 2-3 years with ministers and DFT officials.

We are in very interesting times.