Call for Greening to go after West Coast Main Line 'first-class fiasco It has left the Government's entire policy on rail franchising in disarray, as a further three competitions have had to be put on hold. The NAO report was published within hours of the Department for Transport's own investigation into the chaotic management of the contract, carried out by Sam Laidlaw, a businessman. His report into the shambles, which at one point led to the suspension of three officials - since reinstated - was equally coruscating. Patrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary, told the Commons: "I do not hide from the seriousness of his findings; they make extremely uncomfortable reading for the department." The long term fate of the three civil servants who were suspended when the bid process unravelled will be decided by the DfT's permanent Secretary, Philip Rutnam. This is an extremely serious issue for my department and the Civil Service, but I am determined we learn the lessons and get on with the job we are here to do, While Mr McLoughlin, who was not in post when the franchise was awarded, has not come under fire, pressure is mounting on his predecessor, Justine Greening, who was moved across to International Development at the last reshuffle. Sir Gerald Kaufman, the veteran Labour MP for Manchester Gorton, told MPs it was unacceptable that she should be allowed to remain in the Government. Louise Ellman, the chairman of the all-party Transport Select Committee, said the Mr Laidlaw's damning report "begs serious questions about ministerial accountability." In his report Mr Laidlaw highlighted a series of errors which culminated in the Department for Transport being forced to abandon its plan to hand over the franchise to First Group, to the fury of Virgin, the incumbent since March 1997. He said Theresa Villiers, the rail minister who was appointed Northern Ireland Secretary in the Cabinet reshuffle, had been misled by officials. In particular she had been given inaccurate information about how much money the rival bidders would have to put up as a guarantee to the DfT as insurance against their failing to fulfil the 16-year franchise. Junior officials also were found to have failed to have told senior colleagues of problems as they emerged during the franchising process. According to the NAO report, the DfT had been hampered by instability at the top which had seen four permanent secretaries since 2010 and the departure of a number of senior staff involved in rail refranchising. The frequent changes at senior level raise questions about whether there is sufficient continuity to achieve long-term infrastructure projects or service contracts, which is a key part of the Department's responsibilities.