TORY Transport Minister Robert Goodwill laid bare yesterday his plans to forever prevent a repeat of the East Coast rail public ownership success — across the whole of Europe.

Buried in a written statement issued by Mr Goodwill was an update on discussions over the EU’s Fourth Railway Package — proposed laws on the deregulation of railways across the EU.

“The key outstanding sticking point is the question of when a public authority should be able to decide not to hold a competition for a rail contract and instead make a direct award to their chosen train operator,” wrote Mr Goodwill.