THE Government was last night under renewed pressure to rethink the planned closure of Liverpool coastguard station.

Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle claims she has uncovered fresh evidence suggesting the consultation process was bogus.

And, using Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation, the Garston MP called into question the review which earlier this year resulted in the axing of eight of the UK’s nine stations.

She said: “It is now clear the Crosby closure was a foregone conclusion.”

The FoI evidence shows, she claimed, that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency had made its mind up, under pressure from government ministers, that the Crosby station should shut and the Holyhead station would cover off-shore emergency calls in Liverpool Bay and the Irish Sea.

In particular, it has emerged that Holyhead’s ability to communicate with Welsh seafarers in their own language was a key factor.

But the FoI information shows that there is “no requirement” for employees there to speak Welsh.

And, crucially, it has also emerged that no coastguard officer from either Liverpool or Holyhead has experience of covering either region, a key consideration claimed by ministers.

Ms Eagle said: “It is shocking that the Government was so lax in its supposed consideration of our vital coastguards stations.

“I have called on the Government to think again, but it appears that ministers are carrying on regardless, despite the consultation.”