MoD's Baron techwealth quits for Le Mans biofuel bid

Wants to spend more time with his alcohol car

By Lewis Page • Get more from this author

Posted in Government, 8th November 2007 08:02 GMT

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Now Drayson has decided to push off and race alcohol-powered cars, writing to Gordon Brown and saying:

"As you know I have a passion for motor racing [in my] unique bio-ethanol fuelled race car... [I now have a] once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... a key step towards my eventual dream of success in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race... This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase British motorsport technology for environmentally friendly racing... Unfortunately it cannot be combined with the challenge of full-time government office."

It might be that nobody at the front line will miss Drayson, the businessman's minister. But some believe he was actually a good man brought down by inefficient MoD mandarins.

Bernard Jenkin of the Commons defence committee told the Beeb:

"He has been a good procurement minister... He's walking away from a terrible mess because the spending review leaves the MoD short of around £1bn over the next three years."

"The idea he is taking leave of absence and is going to return to the MoD at a latter date is utterly ridiculous. This is a resignation and they are trying to hide that fact."

Prime Minister Brown replied cordially to Drayson's letter giving notice, saying that the noble Lord was "lucky to have that opportunity... you are showing your customary imagination".

Drayson will be replaced by Baroness Taylor of Bolton. ®