Royal aide slams Britannia 'disgrace'

Published on Monday 13 August 2007 12:42

THE Queen's former press secretary has branded the decision to take the Royal Yacht Britannia out of service as an "absolute disgrace".

Michael Shea, who served the Queen for ten years, sparked controversy when he criticised the move to turn the yacht into a tourist attraction in Leith.

Edinburgh-based Mr Shea is said to have voiced his opinion during a lecture series aboard the cruise ship Braemar.

He was reported as saying the Royal Yacht was "rusting away in Leith".

However, he said today that he did not remember making the comment.

He added he had no concerns about the way the ship was being maintained. He said: "It's a very good tourist vehicle. It's being looked after very well."

But he said: "I'm a total opponent of the ship being decommissioned.

"I think it was disgraceful. It was a symbol of our nation."

It is thought that the Royal Family have some concerns about the yacht's location, as it is overshadowed by the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

The decision to take Royal Yacht out of service on cost grounds was taken by John Major's government.

And this was followed through after Tony Blair won power in 1997.

It is now one of Edinburgh's top tourist attractions, with 275,000 people visiting last year.