Blair's Rail czar accused of assaulting train steward

BRITAIN’S rail czar has been questioned by police over allegations that he assaulted a restaurant steward on an inter-city express service.

Dr Mike Mitchell, director-general of railways at the Department for Transport, has been accused of “common assault and abusive behaviour” while travelling on a GNER train between London and Newcastle.

The senior civil servant, who has been dubbed the nation’s “fat controller” and draws a salary of £150,000, could be charged as early as this week, according to sources close to the investigation. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The allegations come nine months after he was appointed by Alistair Darling, the transport secretary, and at a time when the rail industry has been campaigning to protect its workforce. Assaults on staff have more than doubled over the past seven years.

Mitchell, 57, was interviewed by British Transport police last month and provided a statement while accompanied by a solicitor.

The alleged assault took place on June 14 on the 8pm service between King’s Cross and Newcastle. It is believed that Mitchell was trying to get off the train at Peterborough when his exit was unwittingly blocked by a GNER employee serving passengers in the restaurant car.

An argument between the two men broke out which subsequently escalated. “He [Mitchell] didn’t throw a punch or anything, but he is alleged to have pushed him [the GNER employee] and that’s what the common assault is,” said a police source.

“It wasn’t just a case of verbal abuse. There was some manhandling involved,” said another insider.

The altercation took place in front of several passengers, including an off-duty policeman, who have provided witness statements.

Even after Mitchell got off the train, it is alleged, he continued banging on the window from the station platform and swearing at the GNER customer services assistant.

After receiving advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, British Transport police are now understood to be considering serving Mitchell with a court summons.

Mitchell’s appointment followed the government’s decision to scrap the Strategic Rail Authority, an industry quango, bringing control of the railways under the transport department earlier this year.

Having worked with British Rail for 16 years and then at FirstGroup, the privately run train and bus operator, Mitchell earned a reputation as a “cost-cutter”. In his new role he oversees strategy and funding of the rail network and his team is responsible for awarding train franchises. He is on a three-year contract.

Trumpeting Mitchell’s appointment in February, Darling said: “He has worked in transport for more than 30 years and has the skills necessary to ensure that the department can carry out its new role within a streamlined rail industry.”

Last night Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ union, said: “Every person is innocent until proven guilty . . . However, if the head of railways is charged and found guilty it will be time for him to stand to one side.”

from Dipesh Gadher, Transport Correspondent at The Sunday Times