What's with the
Daily Mirror?
If Crab and his mates want to go to golf: good luck to them
I'd rather see my taxes spent on that, than Brown and his cohorts digging their snouts deeper in the trough
Anger as search and rescue helicopter is used to drop RAF personnel off at golf party - Exclusive
By Richard Smith And Chris Hughes 5/03/2009
An RAF search and rescue helicopter drops military personnel on a golf course... after flying them seven miles for a retirement party.
Questions were being asked about the misuse of taxpayers' money after a dozen passengers were seen climbing out of the yellow Sea King to play nine holes yesterday.
One angry source said: "It's just a complete waste of taxpayers' money. When we are deep in a recession how can the MoD fritter money away bringing their mates to the golf course? I was told it was a retirement party, but it would certainly have cost more than a tenner to fly in all those people."
As the RAF launched an investigation, the source added: "Imagine what our troops would think in Iraq and Afghanistan, where money for new equipment is so tight."
The helicopter, believed to be carrying mostly non-commissioned officers, took off from RAF Chivenor in north Devon and landed seven miles away at Willingcott Valley golf course, near Woolacombe.
Lib Dem defence spokesman Nick Harvey said: "If true, this is an outrageous abuse of an exceptionally precious commodity.
"Soldiers' lives are being put at risk because of helicopter shortage and search and rescue is under great strain. The public will want real answers on how the MoD thinks this is an appropriate use of resources."
The use of the chopper for a social jaunt follows a row last year when Prince William used a £20million military helicopter to fly him and brother Harry to a stag party on the Isle of Wight. An onlooker who watched the RAF golfers yesterday said: "They were wearing civvies. The whole group seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"A young man in military fatigues walked across the course and called in the players shortly before 5pm."
The golfers refused to talk to a Daily Mirror reporter when they were approached after their game.
But last night, an MoD spokesman said: "There are strict rules in place regarding use of military aircraft and we are urgently investigating this incident to ensure regulations have been observed.
"Search and rescue cover was not compromised in any way while this sortie took place."