~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~42~RS~)
Richard Branson urges delay to for West Coast Mainline decision
Virgin Group boss Sir Richard Branson is backing Labour's call for the government to delay awarding the West Coast Mainline franchise to FirstGroup instead of Virgin Trains.
He said he believes FirstGroup can not afford the £5.5bn it is paying for the franchise, and has asked for the "facts to be examined".
The Department for Transport said it had "no reason" to delay the signing.
Speaking from his Caribbean island, Necker, Mr Branson told BBC Breakfast he would "bow out gracefully" from the bid if he was proved to be wrong.
Read More
Most watched/listened
-
Saudi drivers in 'sidewalk skiing' craze
-
Man plays guitar during brain surgery
-
Inside Iraq's Imam Hussein mosque
-
Police probe fatal tiger attack
-
Turtle rescued after swallowing plastic
-
'Sense of endemic fear' in Muslim communities
-
Fake bonds found after global hunt
-
March 2011: Tsunami wave sweeps inland
-
Will Smith surprise at City Hall
-
Woolwich mosque condemns killing
-
Syria troops 'claim Qusair victory'
-
Meet the ‘Queen of North Shields’
-
Woolwich victim 'was soldier' - MP
-
Terrier dog befriends young goose
-
'Quantum smell' idea gains ground
