The Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), Andrew Adonis, has resigned from his position following a number of disagreements with the Government.

In his resignation letter, Lord Adonis described Brexit as a "populist and nationalist spasm worthy of Donald Trump", as well as attacking the Transport Secretary's decision to bail-out the Stagecoach/Virgin on the East Coast rail franchise, which Lord Adonis said will cost taxpayers "hundreds of millions of pounds".

He said: "The Government is hurtling towards the EU's emergency exit with no credible plan for the future of British trade and European co-operation, all the while ignoring - beyond soundbites and inadequate programmes - the crises of housing, education, the NHS, and social and regional inequality which are undermining the fabric of our nation and feeding a populist surge.

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On Chris Grayling's decision to bail-out the Stagecoach/Virgin East Coast rail franchise, Lord Adonis said: "However, I would have been obliged to resign from the Commission at this point anyway because of the Transport Secretary's indefensible decision to bail-out the Stagecoach/Virgin East Coast rail franchise.

"The bailout will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds, possibly billions if other loss-making rail companies demand equal treatment. It benefits only the billionaire owners of these companies and their shareholders, while pushing rail fares still higher and threatening national infrastructure investment. It is even more inexcusable given the Brexit squeeze on public spending."

Commenting on Lord Adonis' resignation, Chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE said: "Throughout his career, Lord Adonis has served infrastructure well, yet he can be especially proud of what he achieved as chair of the National Infrastructure Commission where he was a champion for our industry at the heart of government.

"We urgently need to secure a credible individual, such as current deputy Sir John Armitt, to step-up as chair to maintain the commission’s momentum and its vital role in reminding ministers and civil servants, who may be distracted by issues surrounding Brexit, of the long-term importance of infrastructure investment to the economy and society."

(LM/MH)