Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled “deeply hypocritical” after it was revealed that Labour Ministers will keep travelling by helicopter despite the Prime Minister branding Rishi Sunak “out of touch” for doing so.
During the 2024 General Election campaign, Starmer regularly took swipes at Rishi Sunak over using taxpayer-funded choppers to travel the country and the Prime Minister cancelled a £40million contract after entering No10.
However, Starmer will continue to allow senior Ministers and officials to travel by helicopter.
Responding to queries from ex-Paymaster General John Glen, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said: “An alternative framework for VIP air transport and military command support air transport is being considered.
“The review will explore means of delivery and consider cost-effectiveness while ensuring the important military command function can be met appropriately.”
She added: “No. Routine helicopter transport will be sourced through the Ministerial Transport Office, not from Military helicopters.”
Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden told The Daily Mail: “This is deeply hypocritical given how much time Labour spent in opposition complaining about this.
“It is all the more galling after Labour hiked up Air Passenger Duty for everyone else at the Budget.”
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Three ex-Tory PMs oppose Assisted Dying Bill
Former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Liz Truss have all voiced opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill.
Baroness May, who opposed similar legislation in 2015, is expected to vote against the bill when it reaches the House of Lords.
Truss also told The Telegraph: “It is wrong in principle: organs of the state like the NHS and the judicial system should be protecting lives, not ending them.
“No doubt, as we have seen in Canada, vulnerable people would be put under appalling pressure to end their lives early.
“The law would be ripe for being exploited by the unscrupulous. MPs should vote this terrible Bill down and instead focus on improving health services.”
The Telegraph also claimed that Johnson is not prepared to support the proposed legislation as it currently stands.