West Coast bidding 'lacked transparency and consistency'

It is clear that the inquiry has identified a number of issues which confirm that my decision to cancel the franchise competition was necessary.

These include a lack of transparency in the bidding process, the fact that published guidance was not complied with when bids were being processed, inconsistencies in the treatment of bidders and confirmation of technical flaws in the model used to calculate the amount of risk capital bidders were asked to provide to guard against the risk of default.

The Laidlaw inquiry also mentions factors "that appear to have caused or contributed to the issues raised".