# V – The Sale of Royal Mail: Is Whitehall’s Secret Underground Railway at Risk? – By Gary Pickett
Let’s stop pretending this is just about parcels and postboxes; what about all the assets Royal Mail owns? One is Whitehall’s Secret Underground Railway. The value of that in terms of military strategy is unlimited if all network electronics are destroyed in a world war. The potential foreign takeover of Royal Mail puts far more at risk than meets the eye—including Whitehall’s secret underground railway. That’s right, beneath London’s bustling streets lies a clandestine lifeline, a crucial infrastructure that has quietly supported Britain’s government logistics for decades. If Royal Mail falls into foreign hands, who will control this hidden backbone of national security?
The Hidden Lifeline Beneath London
For years, the Mail Rail was not just an underground marvel but the beating heart of Britain’s secure communications. This purpose-built railway once zipped sensitive documents and parcels across London, linking Whitehall to Fleet Street and beyond. While most of the system was decommissioned in the late 20th century, key sections remain operational. The Ministry of Defence (MoD), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and other government departments use it to move materials too sensitive for regular transport.
The idea of this railway falling under foreign control should send alarm bells ringing. The question isn’t whether the railway is still valid—it is. The genuine concern is whether a foreign-controlled Royal Mail would prioritise Britain’s interests or use this asset for leverage in times of crisis.
National Security Hanging by a Thread
Let’s face it: the Mail Rail is more than a relic of Britain’s industrial ingenuity. It’s a vital tool in a world riddled with cyber threats, espionage, and geopolitical uncertainty. Handing control of this infrastructure to foreign shareholders isn’t just careless—it’s dangerous.
“This isn’t just about letters or logistics,” a former MoD official warns Charles Wainwright. “The Mail Rail is a strategic asset. In the wrong hands, it could become a vulnerability instead of a strength.” And Wainwright is right. At a time when national security should be sacrosanct, Britain risks selling off a crucial safeguard.
Can Foreign Ownership Be Trusted?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: handing Royal Mail over to foreign control puts the entire infrastructure—including Whitehall’s underground railway—at risk. Sure, the government might try to retain domestic operational control. However, foreign shareholders could still demand access to sensitive data or even push for transparency in how the railway is used.
And what happens if foreign interests sell off parts of the network or decide they’re no longer profitable? The public may think Royal Mail is just about deliveries, but its operations have long underpinned Britain’s national resilience. That resilience could crumble under foreign ownership.
A Fragile Line of Defence
The Mail Rail wasn’t designed just to be efficient—it was built to keep Britain running during its darkest moments. Whether in war, terror attacks, or natural disasters, the railway has quietly ensured that government communications and logistics never grind to a halt.
However, under foreign ownership, can Britain trust that this critical system would still work in a crisis? Would foreign shareholders care about safeguarding Britain’s interests, or would they prioritise their profits—or worse, the interests of their home nations? These aren’t hypotheticals. In a globalised world, they’re complex realities.
Whitehall’s Railway: A Symbol of What’s at Stake
While the public may think of Royal Mail in terms of red post boxes, the underground railway is a stark reminder of the stakes involved. It’s not just a nostalgic relic—it’s a piece of infrastructure that quietly supports some of the nation’s most sensitive operations. Selling Royal Mail to foreign interests isn’t just short-sighted—it’s reckless.
Countries like Germany and France understand this. They keep critical infrastructure firmly under national control. Britain, however, seems determined to gamble with its sovereignty, handing over assets that should never be up for sale.
The Cost of Complacency
We’ve already lost our iconic red telephone boxes and significant portions of our railways. Do we want to add Royal Mail—and Whitehall’s underground railway—to that list? This isn’t just about nostalgia but protecting the systems that keep the country running.
If the government doesn’t act, the consequences could be dire. Strict oversight, legislation, or outright bans on selling critical assets like the Mail Rail must be implemented. Without these protections, Britain risks losing far more than just a national institution—losing control of its security.
A Fight for Sovereignty
The privatisation and potential foreign ownership of Royal Mail represent a troubling trend: the steady erosion of Britain’s self-reliance. Whitehall’s underground railway might not make headlines, but it exemplifies what’s at stake in this debate.
This is about far more than parcels and postboxes. It’s about sovereignty. It’s about resilience. And it’s about ensuring that the backbone of Britain’s communications and logistics doesn’t end up in the hands of foreign powers.
The government has a choice: protect this infrastructure or quietly let it disappear. But one thing is clear: Britain cannot afford to lose control of what lies beneath.