Qui custodes

Telegrammed by our independent expert
Now is the time of year when that brave band of railway experts who apply to become public members of Network Rail's board receive their ritual rejection letters.

NR Directors, of course, don't want any outsider with rail expertise on the board, because they might get found out.

One applicant, who is a leading railway journalist in the national press, received a mealy-mouthed letter of rejection saying the selection panel's "focus was not confined to an appreciation of railway-related issues."

So what on earth should Public Members "focus" on, if not "railway-related issues"?

Presumably the continued approval of fat bonuses for NR's porky top team despite the company's shiite performance?

It's a bit like Tesco recruiting Directors who have no interest in retail.