Transport minister faces claims he threatened agency in previous job

The appointment of Lord Hendy as a transport minister is being questioned over claims about his conduct in a earlier position as chairman of Community Rail.

Lord Hendy is accused of threatening to withhold public contracts from an engineering agency, Systra, after one in every of their senior engineers spoke to the press about security considerations at Euston Station.

Shadow transport secretary Helen Whately mentioned the scenario raised “critical” questions for each Lord Hendy and the Labour Celebration.

Gareth Dennis, who was sacked by Systra following Lord Hendy’s grievance, had informed the Unbiased in April that ranges of overcrowding in Euston Station had been generally “unsafe”.

Mr Dennis mentioned his remarks had been evidenced by a security enchancment discover that had been served by the rail regulator in October 2023. Community Rail says it resolved the problems raised by December 2023.

In Might, Lord Hendy wrote a letter to the chief govt of Systra, Nick Salt, asking for proof to substantiate the allegation, or alternatively, particulars of any motion being taken towards Mr Dennis for his remarks.

Within the letter, first reported by the Politico news website and seen by the BBC, he reminded Mr Salt that “discovering a possible provider criticising a possible customer displays adversely in your probability of doing enterprise with us or our provide chain”.

Mr Salt responded with an apology about any “alarm” attributable to the press feedback, whereas additionally stressing that Mr Dennis’ publicly expressed views don’t replicate these of the corporate.

Lord Hendy, dissatisfied with the response, steered that additional motion was wanted, whereas providing to escalate his considerations to the agency’s shareholders and head workplace.

Mr Dennis was suspended by his employer a number of days later, which cited Lord Hendy’s grievance as the explanation behind this.

He informed the BBC that he was supplied an employment reference and a lump sum in return for leaving the corporate voluntarily and signing a confidentiality settlement, which he declined.

Following a disciplinary course of he was dismissed in July with 4 weeks’ discover for allegedly bringing each his employer and Community Rail into disrepute.

Mr Dennis, who received the Younger Rail Skilled Distinguished Service Award 2024, mentioned he had been left with melancholy and anxiousness in consequence.

“It’s been an terrible three months… an trade I care deeply about has chewed me up and spat me out,” he added.

Mr Dennis additionally argued that Lord Hendy ought to resign from the federal government as a result of “somebody who responds so vindictively… to security considerations shouldn’t be in command of shaping the rail trade”.

Writing on X, previously Twitter, shadow transport secretary Helen Whately mentioned: “The best way to deal with whistleblowers is to research their considerations.

“Threatening their employer and getting them sacked is the very last thing a authorities minister ought to do.”

Ms Whately has written to the Cupboard Workplace Minister Pat McFadden to ask additional questions concerning the vetting course of for the minister and his suitability for public workplace, in mild of the claims.

The Division for Transport didn’t present an announcement however suggested that the minister wouldn’t be obtainable for interview.

The Labour Celebration has been approached for remark.

A Community Rail spokesperson mentioned: “The rail regulator’s considerations raised in September 2023 about passenger congestion at Euston station had been addressed and put to mattress in December 2023, months earlier than the Unbiased piece was printed.

“Selections on how worker conduct is dealt with is a matter for employers – on this case, Systra.”

A spokesperson for Systra Ltd mentioned: “We’re unable to touch upon particular person employees issues aside from to verify {that a} thorough investigation was carried out.”