Councillor criticises Prince Andrew's decision to cancel East Lancs visit

6:00pm Saturday 13th October 2012 in News

A PENDLE councillor has criticised Prince Andrew’s decision to cancel a visit to East Lancashire.

The Duke of York was expected to attend a ceremony at Nelson and Colne College to award staff and students with a special science status and a visit to Training 2000 in Blackburn.

But hours before Thursday's visit, the college was told 'adverse weather conditions’ had prevented the Prince's private helicopter from taking off.

Coun Mohammed Iqbal said he had spoken to students who felt ‘let down’ by the Royal no-show.

He said: “I was disappointed with his reasons. The students I spoke to were let down because they had been very much looking forward to meeting him.

“I would have expected a bit more effort on his part. What was to stop him jumping on a train to Preston and then heading over to Nelson?

“There were no cancellation on the railways as far as I’m aware. Is a first-class Virgin train not good enough for royalty?”

It is believed the Prince was supposed to fly from the RAF Northolt in Middlesex.

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport, eight miles away, said no flights had been cancelled on Thursday morning.

He said: “While conditions were unpleasant, they certainly weren’t severe enough to cause cancellations.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Prince was now arranging a new visit to the college for October 29, but said he could not comment any further for 'security reasons'.

Nelson and Colne College said they not yet been told of a new date for the visit.

A spokesperson said: “We know he is keen to return to the area but nothing has been specifically arranged with the college.

“As far as we’re concerned, while it was disappointing, it was also unavoidable due to fog down south.

“The college is fine with the decision and we were happy to welcome our MP Andrew Stephenson and we all had a really good day.”

Comments (11)

7:57pm Sat 13 Oct 12

Sajdin says...

Another Councillor jumping on the band wagon, he coming on 29th October, concentrate on more pressing issues Mr Iqbal !
Another Councillor jumping on the band wagon, he coming on 29th October, concentrate on more pressing issues Mr Iqbal ! Sajdin

10:12pm Sat 13 Oct 12

coates warder says...

i take it the councillor has used the trains has he.my daughter travels between colne and southport a journey of around 50 miles she has to change 3 times and takes over 3 hours now he expects anyone just to jump on a train from london to get to nelson just like that.? he must be in cloud cuckoo land.try using the trains mate and see how you find them.and just to jump on a first class train when you have to book weeks in advance to guantee a seat.keep digging mr iqbal the hole is getting deeper
i take it the councillor has used the trains has he.my daughter travels between colne and southport a journey of around 50 miles she has to change 3 times and takes over 3 hours now he expects anyone just to jump on a train from london to get to nelson just like that.? he must be in cloud cuckoo land.try using the trains mate and see how you find them.and just to jump on a first class train when you have to book weeks in advance to guantee a seat.keep digging mr iqbal the hole is getting deeper coates warder

10:16pm Sat 13 Oct 12

coates warder says...

also security has to be sorted as well think you are a little bit out of order mr iqbal.would you fly a helicopter in thick fog. i take it you have never missed a meeting due to transport or the weather ?
also security has to be sorted as well think you are a little bit out of order mr iqbal.would you fly a helicopter in thick fog. i take it you have never missed a meeting due to transport or the weather ? coates warder

10:55pm Sat 13 Oct 12

wrinkles says...

I'm appalled at the reasoning power of Councillor Iqbal - his knowledge of piloting a helicopter and passenger train difficulties leaves a lot to be desired too. I hope his efforts for the residents of the town are of a higher calibre.
I'm appalled at the reasoning power of Councillor Iqbal - his knowledge of piloting a helicopter and passenger train difficulties leaves a lot to be desired too. I hope his efforts for the residents of the town are of a higher calibre. wrinkles

10:11am Sun 14 Oct 12

Is Eckersley playing? says...

I travelled from Euston to Preston last Thursday, two hours 40 mins. I did not see any fog on the journey. Andrew probably forgot he had a golf round that morning.
I travelled from Euston to Preston last Thursday, two hours 40 mins. I did not see any fog on the journey. Andrew probably forgot he had a golf round that morning. Is Eckersley playing?

10:13am Sun 14 Oct 12

Izanears says...

Trust Councillor Iqbal to complain. He never misses a chance to get his name in the paper.
Trust Councillor Iqbal to complain. He never misses a chance to get his name in the paper. Izanears

3:11pm Sun 14 Oct 12

2 for 5p says...

Prince Andrew will be paping himself at the moment.
Prince Andrew will be paping himself at the moment. 2 for 5p

4:40pm Sun 14 Oct 12

coates warder says...

Is Eckersley playing? wrote:
I travelled from Euston to Preston last Thursday, two hours 40 mins. I did not see any fog on the journey. Andrew probably forgot he had a golf round that morning.
i take it this trip was prebooked or was it just a walk up.did you have security etc with you ? thought not.also i dont think his helecoptor was parked outside euston station was it.ha ha what a whopper
[quote][p][bold]Is Eckersley playing?[/bold] wrote: I travelled from Euston to Preston last Thursday, two hours 40 mins. I did not see any fog on the journey. Andrew probably forgot he had a golf round that morning.[/p][/quote]i take it this trip was prebooked or was it just a walk up.did you have security etc with you ? thought not.also i dont think his helecoptor was parked outside euston station was it.ha ha what a whopper coates warder

7:54pm Sun 14 Oct 12

NICEONESUNSHINE, says...

He said he's coming back. Stop complaining.

I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in
He said he's coming back. Stop complaining. I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in NICEONESUNSHINE,

8:02pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Good call says...

coates warder wrote:
Is Eckersley playing? wrote:
I travelled from Euston to Preston last Thursday, two hours 40 mins. I did not see any fog on the journey. Andrew probably forgot he had a golf round that morning.
i take it this trip was prebooked or was it just a walk up.did you have security etc with you ? thought not.also i dont think his helecoptor was parked outside euston station was it.ha ha what a whopper
They don't need all the security
[quote][p][bold]coates warder[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Is Eckersley playing?[/bold] wrote: I travelled from Euston to Preston last Thursday, two hours 40 mins. I did not see any fog on the journey. Andrew probably forgot he had a golf round that morning.[/p][/quote]i take it this trip was prebooked or was it just a walk up.did you have security etc with you ? thought not.also i dont think his helecoptor was parked outside euston station was it.ha ha what a whopper[/p][/quote]They don't need all the security Good call

8:30pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Rimbus says...

NICEONESUNSHINE, wrote:
He said he's coming back. Stop complaining.

I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in
"I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in"

I don't, they got exactly what they voted for and frankly they deserve it!
[quote][p][bold]NICEONESUNSHINE,[/bold] wrote: He said he's coming back. Stop complaining. I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in[/p][/quote]"I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in" I don't, they got exactly what they voted for and frankly they deserve it! Rimbus

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