John Bercow, the Speaker, is to investigate MPs’ complaints that Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, announced the re-nationalisation on the radio, hours before MPs were told in the Commons. On becoming Speaker last week, Mr Bercow urged ministers to stop making policy announcements to the media before making a statement to Parliament. The Commons should be the first to hear “key policy statements”, he said. Yesterday morning, Lord Adonis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the Government would temporarily re-nationalise the London to Scotland East Coast Main Line rail route, which is being run at a loss by National Express. He was not due to make a statement in the Lords until 3.30pm, and a statement was made to the Commons at 7pm. Senior Tory Sir Patrick Cormack (Staffordshire S) and... [read full story]
