Inquiry demand into chief’s dismissal at rail firm

THE Rail, Maritime and Transport union today called for an inquiry into Dutch firm Abellio being awarded the £2.5 billion ScotRail franchise after its Scotland-based chief executive was fired because of “irregularities” over its winning of a public transport contract in the Netherlands.

General secretary Mick Cash said it must be “clearly shown there was nothing irregular with the award of the ScotRail franchise to Abellio”.

The firm took over the train operator two months ago after winning the ten-year contract last October against five rivals, including previous operator FirstGroup.

Abellio chief executive Jeff Hoogesteger and Timo Huges, chief executive of Dutch state railways NS, which owns it, were dismissed last Friday following government concern about Abellio winning a contract in Limburg.

Mr Hoogesteger had moved to Edinburgh and worked three days a week from Abellio UK’s new Glasgow head office - reflecting the importance of the ScotRail contract.

The Scottish Government has stressed the sackings would have no impact on the franchise.

A spokeswoman said: “There is absolutely no suggestion of any conduct that puts the ScotRail franchise procurement process in doubt.”

However, Mr Cash said a “full inquiry” was needed over both Abellio’s involvement in ScotRail and the train franchises it runs in England.

It operates Greater Anglia, and Northern and Merseyrail in joint operations with Serco.