RAIL UNION RMT revealed today that the long, drawn out stitch-up leading to the appointment of German outfit Siemens to build the new fleet of trains for the Thameslink service has cost the British taxpayer over £8 million in consultancy fees.

The information – obtained through a question from RMT Parliamentary Group member and Derby MP Chris Williamson (below) – shows that as well as kicking the legs from under Britain’s last train builder, and threatening ten thousand jobs at Bombardier and in the supply chain, the Government has also filed the pockets of a raft of external consultants with taxpayers cash to finance this betrayal of British manufacturing.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The scandal of the Thameslink stitch up continues with the Government now forced to admit that their betrayal of UK train building has been financed by the British taxpayer to the tune of £8 million in largesse to the architects of this debacle. That is a national disgrace and those responsible should be hauled to account.

“RMT’s fight to save train building in the nation that gave the railways to the world goes on against this background of industrial vandalism, ministerial incompetence and EU interference. There must be no repeat over the Crossrail fleet contract.”