MoD buys art while essentials are cut

Please, tell me these guys got that £20m from Prince Alaweenie?

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MoD buys art while essentials are cut

By Gary Cleland
Last Updated: 7:08am GMT 02/01/2008



Defence chiefs have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on art while troops face equipment shortages in war zones and decrepit housing at home.

From the frontline: Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
Critics say that as the Armed Forces put their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan, taxpayers' money is wasted on "frivolous projects".


Eyrie, one of four paintings by Louise Cattrell bought by the Ministry of Defense


In 2004/05, MoD civil servants bought a set of paintings by Zil Hoque called Nimbus I, II, III, IV at a cost of £160,000.

They also bought a set of four paintings by Louise Cattrell - Eyrie, Aerial, Tempest and Keep - that cost £72,000, all excluding VAT.

The following financial year, the department spent almost £53,000 simply on maintaining its art collection.

Since the beginning of the Iraq war, officials have bought 3,150 chairs for £1,000 each and 134 widescreen televisions costing £348,000.

Since 2005 the MoD has also wasted £7.7 million by losing spare parts in transit.

Gen Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the Army, wrote recently that spending on modern art demonstrated the "cultural divide" at the MoD.

Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "Spending on frivolous projects and lavish refits shows how out of touch the Government is when it comes to our Armed Forces."

advertisementGordon Brown has faced repeated complaints from troops that pay and housing are unacceptable.



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