The VC10 has no FDR, no CVR and an escape slide system that would give today's certification authorites a heart attack. It does not meet modern certification requirements and should not be flying pax around just because it happens to be a state aircraft.
Whereas the C-130 has no passenger seats which would meet EU-OPS requirements, no passenger oxygen, nowhere even to wash your hands after using the 'facilities'.......
Yes, the VC10 is well overdue for replacement. But has passenger carrying in the C-130 (apart from half-one-way trips for meat bombs) been stopped as well?
What a shame the RAF didn't take up the offer of a couple of dozen A310MRTTs when they were on offer about 20 years ago......