RAIL union leaders accused Scottish ministers of hypocrisy yesterday as they handed the Caledonian Sleeper service to scandal-stricken privateers Serco.

The monolithic contractor is set to control the overnight trains from Scotland to London for the next 15 years under an £800 million contract, with a £60m top-up to start as the firm orders in new rolling stock.

First Minister Alex Salmond had previously fuelled hopes for a renationalisation agenda at a Dundee gathering of trade unionists in April, giving a categorical “yes” when asked whether his government backed continued public ownership of the East Coast Main Line.