Today’s defence news includes reports of RAF jets being scrambled to escort a passenger plane which made an emergency landing at Prestwick Airport. There is also coverage of recruitment company Red Snapper receiving £20m of ‘tax payers’ money, a rally in London for Sergeant Alexander Blackman and reports that at least ten terrorist attacks have been foiled in the past two years by Britain’s security services.
RAF JETS
The Scotsman, The Independent, The (Glasgow) Herald and the Daily Record all report that military jets were scrambled from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to escort a passenger plane which was forced to make an emergency landing at Prestwick Airport.
An RAF Spokesperson said:
Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft. The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons; any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted. Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely escorted by the Lossiemouth aircraft to Prestwick airport.
MARINE A
The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Express and The Daily Mail all report on a rally in London to support Sergeant Alexander Blackman.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
Sergeant Blackman’s case involved a full criminal inquiry, a court martial, an appeal, and is currently under review by the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission. We respect the decision of the court and we will continue to co-operate with any legal process.
RED SNAPPER
The Daily Telegraph reports that Red Snapper, the recruitment company that employs private investigators to look into the conduct of British troops in Iraq, has received more than £20m in taxpayers' money.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our Armed Forces are rightly held to the highest standards and credible serious allegations of criminal behaviour must be investigated. An independent investigation is the best way to make sure that innocent personnel are not dragged through international courts without cause, leaving the door open to a lengthy, and costly public inquiry.
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