MPs erupt in fury over Met’s plans to ditch PM’s British-made Jaguar to replace with German Audi
MPs were furious yesterday over the Met Police’s plans to ditch the PM’s British-made car and replace it with a German limo.
The Sun revealed yesterday how senior Cabinet ministers who have armed protection will lose their bulletproof Jaguars next year — and see them swapped for German-produced Audis.
But there was a backlash last night, with Midlands MPs from car making areas branding the move unpatriotic.
Labour veteran John Spellar – who represents thousands of Jaguar Land Rover workers in his Black Country seat of Warley — said the pen pushers who made the decision are risking UK jobs.
He accused them of “not caring about the car workers in the West Midlands and Merseyside and their supply chain round the country”.
Jaguar employs more than 40,000 staff.
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It was previously hoped the fleet of customised armoured Jaguar XJs could be replaced with electric versions or a like-for-like.
But the firm paused work on the new model during the pandemic so the cops want to buy the German cars instead.
Last night, Boris Johnson’s spokesman distanced the PM for the row.
They said: “The PM will always promote British companies, but on that, it is a matter for the Met.”
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JOHN SPELLAR: When are the Home Secretary and Police Commissioners going to get a grip?
John Spellar is the Labour MP for Warley
OUR PM being driven round in a German Audi?
What message will this send round the world about Britain as a major motor manufacturer and industrial power?
Workers, their families and communities depend on the motor industry and its supply chain.
But the selfish bureaucrats, with index-linked pensions, don’t care.
The Met Police have form on this, with their BMW patrol cars and their Mercedes vans.
Other forces, even in our car-making areas snub domestic production for foreign made — and the same for fire engines, ambulances, refuse lorries.
No other country be- haves like this. The bureaucrats are making us a laughing stock.
This is a national problem but start with the Met.
When are the Home Secretary, London Mayor and Police Commissioners going to get a grip?