Rail boss takes flights on expenses

Dec 11 2011 by Sunday Sun

A TRAIN boss paid more than £1,400 to take flights around the UK and claimed the money back on expenses... instead of using his own rail service.

Despite their adverts encouraging commuters to take the train, one director of the East Coast rail franchise – which is now funded by the Government – claimed for SEVEN flights between Glasgow and London, the Sunday Sun can reveal.

East Coast TV ads feature comic and impressionist Rory Bremner travelling by train through the North East pointing out the beautiful scenery through the window.

But commercial director Peter Williams missed the scenery... by flying thousands of feet above it.

East Coast told us the seven flights were for “business needs” when Mr Williams’ was required to fly from his home in Scotland to London.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “The very occasional flights for Peter Williams were as a result of business needs requiring him to be in London late at the end of the week and him living in Scotland.

“As demonstrated by the frequency of such journeys, this is a very infrequent event.”

Last night Gateshead MP Ian Mearns, who sits on the all-parliamentary rail in the North group, said it sent a shocking message to passengers.

He said: “The very least I would expect is that senior managers would use their own service, it’s free to them, they could go first class if they wanted to. It is important they can see the same service passengers get.

“I know that East Coast has been suffering from problems in punctuality and performance and that some of this is not their fault, when you look at cable thefts for example, but I would have much more confidence in the management to turn this around if they were not spending money like this.

“What does it say to the travelling public if train line directors are travelling with a rival rather than use their own service?”

The flights were part of expenses claims made by the board of 12 directors, which were uncovered by the Sunday Sun using Freedom of Information powers.

The bill to the taxpayers came to nearly £28,000 over 22 months.

Details of their spending reveal managing director Karen Boswell claimed £680.01 for two stays at London’s five-star Renaissance Chancery Court hotel.

Set in London’s West End, the hotel has “356 well-appointed and exceptionally spacious rooms and suites, an award-winning spa and the glamorous Pearl Restaurant”.