MOD do not have the market cornered in commonsense. I think at the moment they are desperate to grab any headlines to keep the sandy place in a positive light. Personally I think Biggles did a good job, but it should have been kept quiet.
Of course, our Lords and Masters NEVER make ill-advised comment. The BBC may be clear this time (I saw it pedalled by them) but the comments quoted by me still stand regarding FI.