Councillor criticises Prince Andrew's decision to cancel East Lancs visit (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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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)
coates warder
says...
10:12pm Sat 13 Oct 12
coates warder
says...
10:16pm Sat 13 Oct 12
wrinkles
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10:55pm Sat 13 Oct 12
Is Eckersley playing?
says...
10:11am Sun 14 Oct 12
Izanears
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10:13am Sun 14 Oct 12
2 for 5p
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3:11pm Sun 14 Oct 12
coates warder
says...
4:40pm Sun 14 Oct 12
Is Eckersley playing? wrote: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
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.
NICEONESUNSHINE,
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7:54pm Sun 14 Oct 12
I feel sorry for the people who voted this idiot in
Good call
says...
8:02pm Sun 14 Oct 12
coates warder wrote:They don't need all the security
Is Eckersley playing? wrote: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
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.
Rimbus
says...
8:30pm Sun 14 Oct 12
NICEONESUNSHINE, wrote:"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
I don't, they got exactly what they voted for and frankly they deserve it!
Sajdin says...
7:57pm Sat 13 Oct 12