With all the complex issues involved in this case it would seem that some politician who will have never been near a helicopter or military establishment is to decide the issue
I wouldn't be so sure.
I noticed recently that a civilian lawyer with no experience of the UK military has been appointed to take charge of courts martial against British soldiers. A committee of MPs urged the Ministry of Defence to give the job of overseeing the military justice system to a candidate with specialist knowledge of the forces and an understanding of the pressures of combat. Instead, the £130,000-a-year role of Director of Service Prosecutions has gone to a criminal law barrister with no experience of the forces and no specialisation in military justice.
And who drafts such recommendations to Ministers? Why, Sir Humphrey's camp followers, of course. And who will decide the extant Chinook issue? Surely not those who have a vested interest in allowing the status quo to prevail?
Yes Minister.