Chris Gibb, a senior government adviser and non-executive director of the Department for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), has been dismissed following his public criticism of plans to reduce the length of HS2 trains. The termination of Gibb’s contract reportedly took place over the weekend after ministers raised concerns about his comments.

Gibb was appointed to the DFTO board in 2020, bringing over four decades of experience in the railway industry. DFTO is responsible for overseeing several train operators that have been gradually brought into full public ownership, a process aligned with the current government’s aim to reverse rail privatisation initiated in the 1990s. Currently, seven operators, including LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, South Western Railway, c2c, and Avanti West Coast, are publicly owned.

At a meeting of the all-party parliamentary rail group in Westminster earlier this month, Gibb voiced opposition to government proposals that involve shortening HS2 trains. These trains, contracted to manufacturers Hitachi and Alstom, were originally planned to be 400 meters long, composed of two 200-meter units. However, the decision to curtail HS2’s route beyond Birmingham presents logistical challenges in the northwest, where key stations like Manchester Piccadilly cannot accommodate the 400-meter train length. This has led to a proposal to run shorter trains.

Gibb argued that reducing the train length risked increasing costs, slowing services past Birmingham, and decreasing seating capacity. He pointed out the likelihood that shorter trains would be insufficient to meet passenger demand from the outset, warning that fewer seats could cause overcrowding and leave some travelers unable to board. Though he emphasized that his remarks were made in a personal capacity, he stated a sense of responsibility to provide candid leadership and prioritize the public interest.

According to sources, Gibb’s dismissal followed an alleged breach of DFTO’s “selflessness” clause, which mandates that officeholders act solely in the public interest. A DFTO spokesperson confirmed that due to violations of the terms of appointment, the chair had decided to remove Gibb with immediate effect.

Gibb has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure. Officials have not indicated whether further disciplinary action will be taken or if this incident may prompt a review of internal communication policies at DFTO. The move underscores ongoing tensions within the department regarding the future of the HS2 project amid evolving government transport strategies.