FedEx set to retain Prestwick privileges
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The Government Is resisting calls for an independent inquiry into its decision to hand Federal Express further freight privileges at Prestwick airport.
It was revealed last week that former US senator and Ulster peace-broker George Mitchell, a FedEx director, had used his influence to lobby Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
FedEx, which carries many foreignmade components for Scotland's version of Silicon Valley sited near the airport, has been granted the right to load freight at Prestwick and fly on to third countries.
Until new US air freight companies have been allowed to fly cargo between the US and Britain only. Earlier this year FedEx threatened to pull out of Prestwick altogether unless it was given the rights.
The British Cargo Airline Alliance claims the decision-making process has been "extraordinarily murky". It is also pointing the finger at Transport Minister Lord Macdonald, who last year chaired a Government taskforce on job creation at Prestwick. But Macdonald claims the move is an attempt to win a relaxation of the US rules which inhibit British cargo carriers.