FirstGroup contract stalled, Virgin Rail still has a shot at keeping UK rail line
Skift Take
Branson has been throwing around fighting words since FirstGroup was awarded the lucrative rail contract and now plans to defend his position in person as Virgin has successfully filed for a judicial review of the DfT’s decision.
Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson could be facing MPs in parliament next week to make his case that the award of the west coast mainline franchise was flawed, as doubts grow that the government can stick to its rail franchising timetable.
After the 11th hour application to the high court from Virgin's lawyers last Tuesday stopped the planned signing off of the west coast contract to FirstGroup, the rail minister, Theresa Villie
