In a show of unity, SSP leader Colin Fox pledged support for the plan published by Mr Sheridan as a proposal for a member's bill. Neither would comment on the SSP's internal wars which erupted publicly when Mr Sheridan wrote an open letter complaining of a smear campaign against him.

The legislative proposals launched by the Glasgow MSP would enable ministers to use their recently-extended powers under the 2005 Railways Act. His bill, if passed by Holyrood, would direct ministers to use these powers to arrange for rail passenger services to be provided directly by the public sector or by a specially-created company on a not-for-profit basis when the ScotRail franchise expires in 2011.