PROTESTS are growing in Derby after it was revealed that the Prime Minister has refused to meet a delegation calling for a rethink over the Thameslink rolling stock contract.
It's feared that as many as 20,000 jobs could have been placed at risk by the decision to name Siemens as preferred bidder rather than Derby-based Bombardier.
David Cameron has written to Derby North MP Chris Williamson, re-affirming that the contract cannot now be halted, even though it has only reached the 'preferred bidder' stage.
Mr Cameron said: "This would cause very substantial delays to the programme and moreover, would not help Bombardier, which even if it were successful at re-tender, would still not have the new work for several more years."
But he did indicate that the rules could change in the future, to bring the UK more into line with other European countries such as France and Germany, where the wider effects of awarding major contracts are taken into account.
He explained: "I have asked departments to look at the degree to which, for future procurements, the government can set out the requirements and evaluation criteria with a sharper focus on the UK's strategic interest."
However, some observers claim that a complete restart would not be needed, because Siemens could be ruled out after revelations that the company has been involved in corruption scandals in several countries.
Chris Bovis, who teaches business law at Hull University, told the Daily Mirror that the transport secretary Philip Hammond could still give the contract to Britain’s last train-builder.
He said: "In theory, and in practice, the government can abort the contract at any stage. The consequences could be serious or less serious depending how much contractually it is committed. The government would be liable to compensate the firm for abortive costs, such as money incurred during bidding."
Meanwhile, the House of Commons transport committee will be making its own inquiries into the government's conduct of the Thameslink tender next month, where Mr Bovis will be one of a number of witnesses.
A special train is to carry protestors from Derby to London on 7 September for a mass lobby as the select committee meets.
Another protest rally is planned on 14 September during the annual Trades Union Congress in London, and further demonstrations – organised by Derbyshire business leaders and politicians, Bombardier staff and trade unions – are expected at the Liberal Democrat and Conservative party conferences in the next two months.