PHILIP Hammond is expected in the next few days to confirm that the UK Government will mount an embarrassing U-turn over plans for Britain's aircraft carrier programme.
Ever since the Defence Secretary took office last October following Liam Fox's resignation over his working relationship with aide Adam Werritty, doubts have been raised about whether or not the Coalition would stick to buying the F35C "cat and trap" figher planes and revert to the previous Labour Government's intention to buy the cheaper short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) F35B.
The switch to the F35C was made under last year's defence review because the aircraft was deemed more flexible and would mean UK planes could use French carriers and vice versa.
However, since then tests have shown the cat and trap versions have not worked properly and will be far more expensive than the STOVL version. The cost of the two new Queen Elizabeth class carriers has to date doubled to around £7 billion.
Mr Hammond was due to make a statement to MPs before Easter. No 10 said one was now expected "soon" but was unlikely to be this week; the parliamentary session ends at the beginning of May.
The Prime Minister's spokeswoman said all major projects were being reviewed with a view to ensuring resources were being spent properly.
Last night, Jim Murphy, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said: "This U-turn would be a humiliation for the Prime Minister.
"This is a mess entirely of ministers' own making. The Government acted without strategy and in haste. The aircraft carrier programme goes to the heart of our ability to act in the world but is now confused and incoherent."
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