Branson says Rock move 'not right answer' - papers 18 Feb

Virgin Money was named as preferred bidder by Northern Rock in November and remained the favoured private-sector solution until yesterday, when the Government decided nationalisation was better value for the taxpayer. Sir Richard said nationalisation was "not the right answer" and that a commercial solution would have been a better option. He added: "All of us in the Virgin consortium are very disappointed that the Government has chosen to opt for nationalisation. We were very clear the business plan we put forward was robust, conservative but ultimately capable of rescuing the interests...