The government is facing fresh political backlash over HS2’s “staggering failure” amid whistleblower accusations of a multi-billion pound cover up.
Explosive new allegations published in the Sunday Times say senior executives at HS2 Ltd, the company charged with building the high speed line, shredded documents and used misleading projections to ensure money kept flowing into the project.
Whistleblowers claim they were told by bosses to lie about the project’s cost and were sacked after speaking out. They say parliament was not informed of the real cost of HS2 for years, all while voting on laws that approved its construction.
Louise Haigh, shadow transport secretary, told City A.M.: “These are serious allegations that make the Conservatives’ breathtaking lack of oversight of HS2 all the more shocking.”
“As chief secretary, chancellor and now as Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak failed to meet with HS2 [Ltd] once as the cost to the taxpayer soared.”
“Taxpayers are paying the price for this staggering failure. This is a government with no direction, no plan and no regard for taxpayers’ money.”
“Taxpayers are paying the price for this staggering failure. This is a government with no direction, no plan and no regard for taxpayers’ money.”
Louise Haigh, shadow transport secretary
HS2’s internal fraud unit is now investigating allegations of a cover up. HS2 Ltd vehemently denies the accusations published by the Sunday Times.
Liberal Democrat treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP told...
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