RAIL union TSSA called yesterday for the “rushed sell-off” of the publicly owned East Coast rail line to be delayed to allow an in-depth competition inquiry.

General secretary Manuel Cortes said it was clear the coalition wanted to complete a deal by March 1 to avoid controversy in the run-up to the general election.

The union said warnings raised by the Competition and Markets Authority last week backed its concerns over handing the contract to Virgin Trains and Stagecoach.

Mr Cortes accused Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin of turning a “Nelsonian blind eye” to the fact he was creating a long-distance monopoly for two of his favourite firms.

And he said: “We all know the Tories want to bundle East Coast out of the door before May 7.
“They are desperate to stop voters knowing that it has been the best-value franchise for the past five years.”