To be fair to Fox (Not something I really want to do) there was a little publisised interview with Radio Scotland the day after the MRA4 cancellation, where he said that the capability was needed, but the MRA4 wasn't the platform to deliver it due to the fact that no-one could say when it would be in service and how much it would cost. He strongly hinted that this would be something they would look at again once the financial situation was better.
Indeed, I am aware...but then he also said this...
...We are mitigating the risk incurred by using other capabilities, such as Frigates, Merlin helicopters and Hercules aircraft. Operations in Afghanistan are not affected by this decision and we will continue to cover long-range Search and Rescue around the UK with a number of aircraft that can fulfil this role...
Which you will know is something of a "distortion". Although I'm not a fan either, I would point out that I'm not having a cheap pop at Fox, who was just fufilling his political function like any other, I'm just pointing out that as his star rises again, he won't want a controversial (and very short) period as defence secretary being exposed to the spotlight, any more than his weird "arrangements" with Adam Werritty (now that is a deliberate cheap shot
)