The probation service, which is to be renationalised after Chris Grayling’s decision to privatise the system, ended up costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds.
But this is far from the first controversy in the Transport Secretary’s ministerial career.
– Brexit ferries
A total of £100 million in contracts was awarded to three companies – Brittany Ferries, DFDS and Seaborne – but were ultimately scrapped at an estimated cost of £56.6 million after Brexit was delayed.
The Department for Transport’s woes did not end there – it agreed an out-of-court settlement of £33 million with Eurotunnel, which claimed the rushed contracts had been handed out in a “secretive” way and it should have been approached.
– Train timetables
The number of trains cancelled each day by Govia Thameslink Railway and Northern reached up to 470 and 310 respectively.
An investigation into the fiasco by the Office of Rail and Road found “nobody took charge”.
– Virgin East Coast bailout
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said Mr Grayling had “gifted” Stagecoach and Virgin, which took over in 2015, a “£2 billion bailout”.
– Southern Rail
The National Audit Office found although action by unions was a “major contributor” to delays and cancellations, the DfT made decisions that “negatively impacted on passengers”.
– Book ban for prisoners
Literacy campaigners and prison reform groups branded the plan “cruel” and said it put prisoners at greater risk of self-harm and suicide.
It was eventually ruled unlawful by the High Court.
– Criminal court charges
It is estimated thousands of innocent people may have pleaded guilty in a bid to minimise costs – the fees were scrapped within six months.
– Tribunal fees
They were scrapped in 2017 after the Supreme Court sided with trade union Unison that the fees unfairly discriminated against women and other groups of workers, forcing the Government to refund £27 million to thousands of people hit with the charge.
– Legal aid to domestic violence
They were only granted legal aid if they could provide documentary evidence from social services, law enforcement and medical professionals.
The Court of Appeal ruled the restrictions were unlawful in 2017.
Other controversial moments include an attempt to cuts legal aid to prisoners and a £6 million contract to train prison staff in Saudi Arabia despite its appalling human rights risk and use of capital punishment.
He was also criticised for awarding a contract to Carillion to run prison maintenance when it was clear the firm was going bust.
Others include the “Workfare” scheme, under which claimants were forced to work for free or lose their benefits, and knocking a cyclist off his bike with a car door after complaining about cycle lanes.
