Labour calls for West Coast Mainline franchise review

Labour has called for a delay in signing a new West Coast Mainline contract until Parliament returns next week.

The Department for Transport said it had "no reason" to delay the signing on Tuesday, despite an offer by Virgin's Sir Richard Branson to run the service "for free" while a review is carried out.

Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle said many questions remained surrounding the bid by FirstGroup, and called the lack of opportunity for MPs to quiz Transport Secretary Justice Greening "outrageous".