UK taxpayers footed a £3m bill for three helicopters that David Cameron sent to help Nepal recover from the devastating earthquake– but none of them were used, according to reports in the Financial Times.

The Prime Minister announced the move on Twitter in the heat of the election campaign as disaster struck Nepal, promising to do “all we can to help” victims in the region.

He said the RAF would fly three Chinook helicopters over to Nepal, but they were refused entry into the country due to fears they would cause more damage to the houses and other buildings in the Kathmandu valley.

An official close to Britain’s aid efforts in the region told the Financial Times that Mr Cameron was foolish to announce the move on Twitter without checking whether the aircraft would be allowed into Nepal. Another official criticised the move by Mr Prime Minister, describing it as “government by tweet”.

bbabo.Net