Sea King fleet bid inquiry
PLANS to privatise the UK’s search and rescue helicopter service have been put on hold after a police investigation was launched into alleged irregularities in the bidding.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said the £6billion programme to replace the RAF’s Sea King fleet was halted because the preferred bidder admitted it had seen sensitive data.
The inquiry is into how the information arrived at CHC Helicopter, a member of the Soteria consortium.
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Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: “What it will raise once again is the nature of the relationship of the people who work for the MoD and commercial organisations.”
Under the plans, Soteria would have provided US Sikorsky helicopters from bases around the UK currently operated by the Royal Navy, RAF and coastguards.
The scheme sparked controversy, with Prince William, serving as a Sea King pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey, understood to have voiced concern to PM David Cameron.