"No-one can admit publicly just how much of a mess it really is..."
Because it isn't.
The aircraft is, admittedly, VERY late. But that doesn't matter, it's merely deferred the payments and has allowed us to get more use (and value) from the aircraft types that it will replace. That's fortuitous. It's lucky that we didn'y need it when we should have first had it, but we didn't. Its lateness has also meant that the aircraft is more mature than it would otherwise have been. It's given more time to add new and relevant capabilities and nuances, and to iron out problems. That's why the radar is working so well (and the radar is working very well indeed) and that's why all the delayed kit (Pirate, digi ASRAAM, the helmet) will actually be there in time for the first frontline squadron aircraft. Most of the jet's critics are repeating exaggerated, inaccurate and biased 'news' that's long out of date, and that is news that dates from the darkest days of the development programme.
The delays now may result in the RAF getting a useful A-G capability long before they otherwise would have done.
The aircraft is over-budget, but not by much, and not by as much as many other contemporary programmes.
There is still a long way to go, and there are still minor 'issues' but the aircraft is showing tremendous potential - as acknowledged and recognised by guys like John Jumper - hardly the most likely spokesman for the jet!
There are plenty of GREAT reasons to give BAE Systems a good kicking - £50 m per jet for the Harrier GR9 - excluding the rear fuselage work - is No.1 on my list, plus MRA4, plus Astute, plus GR4, etc. etc. But Typhoon is not a scandal - indeed in many respects its a great achievement.