LABOUR big-hitters could join forces with rail privateers to keep the industry in the pockets of big business, campaigners warned yesterday.

Transport and Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Manuel Cortes said profit-making rail franchisees would do all in their power to ensure the party’s promised review of the franchising system was fudged in their favour.

Delegates at the party’s national policy forum earlier this month insisted the current system of private bids for rail networks should be placed under scrutiny. But party bosses have refused to restore operations to a renewed British Rail.