BBC Today Program
Any one hear the interview on the Today Program this morning just before 7 about the cost of OP ELLAMY? Almost as a throw away comment at the end of the interview it alleged that there was a discussion at MoD about the costs of both operating from UK and Italy being prohibitive. As a result it was alleged that some in MoD looked very hard at the feasibility of dragging the GR9s out of their hangers at Cott and asking the RN if the one remaining flat top could be put to sea? The justification being that this option would come at a much reduced cost to HM Treasury than host nation support or staging from UK. (Italy wavering on offering bases dependent on NATO taking control may also have been a factor???) However, the adverse reaction of Downing Street to such a suggestion was seen as a show stopper, as it made the assumptions of SDSR worthless.
This story was backed up by some spotters claiming to have seen GR9s on the pan being engine tested (routine maintanace - coincidence??) Some one may have put 1+1=5 ?
However, on a serious note, before spending round 11/12, 12/13 is announced, how much head scratching and conversations in quiet corners are going on between the service chiefs and ministers about has SDSR perhaps gone too far...........