Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/462fed90-637c-46ce-a686-2155590fe3ee?shareToken=1f8bb268f2aab655f1afe3f5280d80ee

On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides

Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
use helicopters.

Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
other have to provide).

If Beer Starmer gets into power then I doubt we will see him travelling
by bus - I don't think he has ever been seen using a bicycle (except for
photo opportunities) unlike Boris Johnson.

Usual high standards from The Times - "Royal Air Force soldier
responsible for the helicopters"!

On 17/12/2023 13:57, JMB99 wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
>> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides
>
>
>
> Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
> use helicopters.
>
> Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
> substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
> other have to provide).

An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.

> Usual high standards from The Times - "Royal Air Force soldier
> responsible for the helicopters"!
>

That's what you get when you pay for quality (sic) journalism.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
>> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides
>
>
>
> Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
> use helicopters.
>
> Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
> substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
> other have to provide).
>
> If Beer Starmer gets into power then I doubt we will see him travelling
> by bus - I don't think he has ever been seen using a bicycle (except for
> photo opportunities) unlike Boris Johnson.
>
> Usual high standards from The Times - "Royal Air Force soldier
> responsible for the helicopters"!

What are the members of the RAF Regiment called?

On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.

And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.

On 17/12/2023 14:35, Recliner wrote:
> What are the members of the RAF Regiment called?

Rock Apes usually.

But I don't think the administration of the helicopters under contract
to the RAF is the responsibility of the RAF Regiment.

On 17/12/2023 15:05, JMB99 wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
>> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.
>
>
>
> And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.
>
>

What specialist units? He's not an American president with an ambulance
and a team of doctors in tow.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:09:27 +0000, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

>On 17/12/2023 14:35, Recliner wrote:
>> What are the members of the RAF Regiment called?
>
>
>
>Rock Apes usually.
>
>
>But I don't think the administration of the helicopters under contract
>to the RAF is the responsibility of the RAF Regiment.
>

Yes, I think that's right. It's a slightly odd squadron in that it flies leased civilian planes, some with civilian
pilots.

JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
>> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides
>
>
>
> Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
> use helicopters.
>
> Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
> substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
> other have to provide).
>
> If Beer Starmer gets into power then I doubt we will see him travelling
> by bus - I don't think he has ever been seen using a bicycle (except for
> photo opportunities) unlike Boris Johnson.
>
> Usual high standards from The Times - "Royal Air Force soldier
> responsible for the helicopters"!

Did some more checking — the 'RAF solidier' is actually a squadron leader,
who could have been described simply as an RAF officer if they didn't want
to mention his rank.

On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 13:57:48 +0000, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

>On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
>> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides
>
>
>
>Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
>use helicopters.
>
>Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
>substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
>other have to provide).
>
>If Beer Starmer gets into power then I doubt we will see him travelling
>by bus - I don't think he has ever been seen using a bicycle (except for
>photo opportunities) unlike Boris Johnson.
>
The reason we know about Boris's biking is because he doesn't know
what a one-way street is when the press pack is watching like a hawk
to see who he puts his leg over next.
<snip>

On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:09:50 +0000, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 17/12/2023 15:05, JMB99 wrote:
>> On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.
>>
>>
>>
>> And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.
>>
>>
>
>What specialist units? He's not an American president with an ambulance
>and a team of doctors in tow.
>
The police paramedics (a protected description not to be confused with
a humble first-aid trained PC) would deal until the rest turn up.

On 17/12/2023 18:34, Charles Ellson wrote:
> On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 13:57:48 +0000, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
>
>> On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
>>> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides
>>
>>
>>
>> Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
>> use helicopters.
>>
>> Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
>> substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
>> other have to provide).
>>
>> If Beer Starmer gets into power then I doubt we will see him travelling
>> by bus - I don't think he has ever been seen using a bicycle (except for
>> photo opportunities) unlike Boris Johnson.
>>
> The reason we know about Boris's biking is because he doesn't know
> what a one-way street is when the press pack is watching like a hawk
> to see who he puts his leg over next.
> <snip>

The paparazzi were instructed to watch until he put his leg over and
photograph his ride, and they delivered.

On 17/12/2023 18:50, Certes wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 18:34, Charles Ellson wrote:
>> On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 13:57:48 +0000, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:
>>
>>> On 17/12/2023 12:43, Recliner wrote:
>>>> Rishi Sunak intervened to keep his ‘VIP’ helicopter rides
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Imagine any other country telling their Prime Minister that he cannot
>>> use helicopters.
>>>
>>> Don't forget that is a VIP like him travels by road, there are
>>> substantial extra costs for all the protection that the police (and
>>> other have to provide).
>>>
>>> If Beer Starmer gets into power then I doubt we will see him travelling
>>> by bus - I don't think he has ever been seen using a bicycle (except for
>>> photo opportunities) unlike Boris Johnson.
>>>
>> The reason we know about Boris's biking is because he doesn't know
>> what a one-way street is when the press pack is watching like a hawk
>> to see who he puts his leg over next.
>> <snip>
>
> The paparazzi were instructed to watch until he put his leg over and
> photograph his ride, and they delivered.

They also got photos of him on a bicycle.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 17/12/2023 18:38, Charles Ellson wrote:
> On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:09:50 +0000, Graeme Wall
> <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On 17/12/2023 15:05, JMB99 wrote:
>>> On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>>> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> What specialist units? He's not an American president with an ambulance
>> and a team of doctors in tow.
>>
> The police paramedics (a protected description not to be confused with
> a humble first-aid trained PC) would deal until the rest turn up.

Still would need to be deployed regardless of the mode of transport.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 17/12/2023 16:39, Recliner wrote:
> Did some more checking — the 'RAF solidier' is actually a squadron leader,
> who could have been described simply as an RAF officer if they didn't want
> to mention his rank.

It was funny a few days ago, someone called a marine a 'soldier' and was
very politely corrected!

On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 20:17:52 +0000, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 17/12/2023 18:38, Charles Ellson wrote:
>> On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:09:50 +0000, Graeme Wall
>> <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> On 17/12/2023 15:05, JMB99 wrote:
>>>> On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>>>> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> What specialist units? He's not an American president with an ambulance
>>> and a team of doctors in tow.
>>>
>> The police paramedics (a protected description not to be confused with
>> a humble first-aid trained PC) would deal until the rest turn up.
>
>Still would need to be deployed regardless of the mode of transport.
>
They will already be there as PCs on escort duties until such time as
their paramedic skills are required. You will also find them among
other PCs during demonstrations and major events although more likely
to be dealing at a first aid level with people who are unwell or who
have tripped over something.

On 18/12/2023 08:42, Charles Ellson wrote:
> They will already be there as PCs on escort duties until such time as
> their paramedic skills are required. You will also find them among
> other PCs during demonstrations and major events although more likely
> to be dealing at a first aid level with people who are unwell or who
> have tripped over something.

An ex-police friend who worked with firearms (never sure what he did,
the dark side as he called it). In his time they always had medics at a
firearms operation, originally local ambulance service but they started
charging but would not guarantee the ambulance would not go off on
another job. So they used to get a military ambulance with crew for the
duration of the operation.

On 18/12/2023 08:42, Charles Ellson wrote:
> On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 20:17:52 +0000, Graeme Wall
> <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On 17/12/2023 18:38, Charles Ellson wrote:
>>> On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:09:50 +0000, Graeme Wall
>>> <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 17/12/2023 15:05, JMB99 wrote:
>>>>> On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>>>>> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What specialist units? He's not an American president with an ambulance
>>>> and a team of doctors in tow.
>>>>
>>> The police paramedics (a protected description not to be confused with
>>> a humble first-aid trained PC) would deal until the rest turn up.
>>
>> Still would need to be deployed regardless of the mode of transport.
>>
> They will already be there as PCs on escort duties until such time as
> their paramedic skills are required.
Exactly, so where are these savings by using a helo?

Note that even if he stays in London, the same teams are on duty.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 18/12/2023 10:49, JMB99 wrote:
> On 18/12/2023 08:42, Charles Ellson wrote:
>> They will already be there as PCs on escort duties until such time as
>> their paramedic skills are required. You will also find them among
>> other PCs during demonstrations and major events although more likely
>> to be dealing at a first aid level with people who are unwell or who
>> have tripped over something.
>
>
> An ex-police friend who worked with firearms (never sure what he did,
> the dark side as he called it). In his time they always had medics at a
> firearms operation, originally local ambulance service but they started
> charging but would not guarantee the ambulance would not go off on
> another job.  So they used to get a military ambulance with crew for the
> duration of the operation.
>
>

A good idea, a military medic crew are more likely to have experience of
dealing with gunshot wounds.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 18/12/2023 11:08, Graeme Wall wrote:
> A good idea, a military medic crew are more likely to have experience of
> dealing with gunshot wounds.

It was more a case of them remaining near the location and did not
disappear doing other jobs.

In one case they found a very good way to thank them when the job was
over but won't go into that :-)

On 18/12/2023 12:08, JMB99 wrote:
> On 18/12/2023 11:08, Graeme Wall wrote:
>> A good idea, a military medic crew are more likely to have experience
>> of dealing with gunshot wounds.
>
>
> It was more a case of them remaining near the location and did not
> disappear doing other jobs.
>
> In one case they found a very good way to thank them when the job was
> over but won't go into that :-)

Intriguing!
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 15:05, JMB99 wrote:
>> On 17/12/2023 14:06, Graeme Wall wrote:
>>> An extra Range Rover with a couple of cops and a driver, big deal.
>>
>>
>>
>> And the ones along the route as well as specialist units.
>>
>>
>
> What specialist units? He's not an American president with an ambulance
> and a team of doctors in tow.

This is what happens when a US president leaves the COP meeting in Glasgow
and travels to his country hotel on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

<https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02HbCQ3AUrjrJdX7nQjuFzzoJQY6txikVsq44wdkTxXN5PNvpP1TPJTfsVSv241Ddsl&id=1535870117>

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
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