MoD Information

Hoon - Gone Skiing?

Sun, February 23, 2003

Source: Ananova News

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is facing criticism for going on a skiing holiday while thousands of troops preparing for war in the Gulf had their leave cancelled

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is facing criticism for going on a skiing holiday while thousands of troops preparing for war in the Gulf had their leave cancelled. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that he had taken a short break last week while the House of Commons was in recess for the half term break.

But a spokesman refused to confirm reports that he had taken his wife Elaine and children to the ski resort of Chamonix in the French Alps.

"It is the case that he has taken a short break during the House of Commons recess," the spokesman said.

"He has been in touch with the office throughout and dealing with business on a daily basis. As normal, we have a duty minister system in place."

Mr Hoon was due back in the country on Saturday night following his holiday.

He will leave again tomorrow - this time for on official business for a tour of key allies among the Gulf states.

His trip will take him to Kuwait - the scene of the main British and US military build-up - where he will meet British troops and deliver a keynote policy speech.

The timing of his holiday was criticised by the commander of the 7th Armoured Brigade "Desert Rats" during the 1991 Gulf War, Major General Patrick Cordingley.

"I wonder what message it sends to Saddam Hussein? I am amazed that the minister in charge should take a holiday just as men are preparing to risk their lives," he told the Mail on Sunday.

Update:

Geoff Hoon has defended his controversial family skiing holiday, saying it was his first day off since Christmas.

The Defence Secretary has come under fire for spending a couple of days away in the French Alps during the half-term break.

The holiday came at a time when leave was being cancelled for thousands of troops preparing for war in the Gulf.

Mr Hoon, 49, who returned with his family to Britain on Saturday, insisted that he had kept in touch with events throughout his week away.

"I spent a couple of days with my family away from home. I was in regular contact with the office as I always am," he told the BBC Radio Nottingham. "I think it is fair to say that this is the first day that I have had off in that sense - including Saturdays or Sundays - since the Christmas recess."

Mr Hoon's decision to go away with his wife Elaine and their three children drew unfavourable comparisons with his 70-year-old US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld, who is said to put in an 18-hour working day.

But Foreign Office minister Mike O'Brien said the accusation was not justified and dismissed criticisms as "tittle tattle".

"Geoff has been putting in 18-hour days and hasn't seen much of his family. He has got three young children, for heaven's sake," Mr O'Brien told the Sky News programme Sunday with Adam Boulton.

"Be a little bit serious about this. This is - given the issues we are facing - tittle-tattle."