Network Rail names five charged over Hatfield crash

Network Rail has this afternoon confirmed that Nicholas Pollard, Alistair Cook, Sean Fugill and Keith Lea have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with involuntary manslaughter and an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act. 

Chris Leah has also been charged - with an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A statement from the successor to Railtrack has confirmed that both the company and its employees fully intend to defend themselves against the charges.

The statement read: "We believe that our employees conduct their duties to the best of their abilities with the sole intention of delivering a safe, reliable and efficient railway network. It is now a matter for the courts and it would be inappropriate to comment further."