Lib Dems condemn SNP arrogance over ScotRail decision

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Apr 2008

Following a statement in the Scottish Parliament about the Scotrail franchise, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

"I cannot be the only person to remember Kenny MacAskill's solemn promise to 'seek a mandate to bring our train network back into public hands through a not-for-profit trust' and to 'return ownership of our trains to the people of Scotland'. The SNP's turntable politics would have been amusing were it not for the serious implications of the Government's decision.

"An Audit Scotland report into the performance of Scotrail is ongoing. I am taken aback that the Government has pre-empted its findings.

"This is the largest contract awarded by the Government - £800 million of taxpayers' money, but Ministers did not see fit to consult with unions, passenger organisations or regional transport partnerships.

"The SNP's arrogance is truly breathtaking."