THE TORIES returned a 15-year rail franchise to National Express owner c2c yesterday, despite the company costing the taxpayer millions when it dumped the East Coast franchise in 2009.

Union leaders stood incredulous after the announcement that c2c would be keep the Essex Thameside network.

Acting RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This is a gold plated franchise awarded to a company that only a few years ago was throwing the keys back at the government on the East Coast Main Line.