Ministers including Transport Secretary Chris Grayling were left stranded in Gateshead after the line that he renationalised, the East Coast Main Line, suffered delay
THE Government was humiliated last night after Cabinet ministers were stuck in the North - hit by rail chaos on a line they nationalised last month.
After the PM’s Cabinet meeting in Gateshead all ministers were dispatched to various visits across the north east to promote their Brexit plans and the Government’s own £780 million upgrade of the East Coast Main Line.
But delays on that same line yesterday caused delays for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling on his way to Doncaster.
Meanwhile Justice Secretary David Gauke, Trade chief Liam Fox, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss and Aid boss Penny Mordaunt were stuck in Yorkshire for hours after their train was cancelled.
The major disruption was caused by a fire next to the track on the East Coast Main Line between York and Doncaster.
Labour MPs said it was good ministers were finally experiencing the “same utter misery as commuters”.
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy said: “Since Grayling promised to get a grip on the rail chaos a month ago he hasn’t been spotted in the North.
"Maybe now he’s stuck on a train he’ll have time to listen to passengers who have to put up with delayed and cancelled services every day, and explain why nobody has been held accountable for this crisis.”
Fellow Labour MP Wes Streeting blasted: “It’s nice to know that Cabinet Members are experiencing the same utter misery that members of the travelling public are experiencing every day as a result of Tory policies.
“Before they jet off for their summer sun, maybe they can ask Failing Grayling to stay at home and sort out this mess.”
