West Coast Mainline report criticises government

Virgin Trains will run the West Coast Mainline for a further 23 months, as a report into the collapse of the franchise bid heavily criticises the government.

The inquiry, led by Centrica Chief Executive Sam Laidlaw, said officials failed to follow guidelines, inflation was ignored and ministers were misinformed when making crucial decisions.

The contract, originally awarded to FirstGroup in August, will now be run by Virgin Trains for another 23 months, until 9 November 2014.

Richard Westcott reports.