The scrapping of a Plymouth-based warship has been halted under orders from the Government, The Herald has learned.
All four of Devonport's Type 22 frigates are being decommissioned as part of hard-hitting defence spending cuts.
But decommissioning work on HMS Cumberland, pictured, has 'paused', the Navy said, as Britain
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| HMS Cumberland |
HMS Cumberland played a pivotal role in the war-torn country earlier this year, rescuing stranded Britons from its second city, Benghazi
She returned to the city in April, heading for the scrapheap after finding herself on the coalition Government's hit-list.
Defence experts say she and sister ships HMS Chatham, HMS Cornwall and HMS Campbeltown – which is being scrapped despite a £24million refit two years ago – could still be fully operational and of use to the Navy in the standoff with Colonel Gaddafi's forces.
The Navy last night insisted all four ships were still set for the scrapheap. HMS Cumberland's decommissioning ceremony is scheduled for next week.
But city Tory MP Oliver Colvile admitted it would be "very good news" if the Government answered calls to rethink its plans.
A Navy spokeswoman said: "The decommissioning process is continuing on all the Type 22 Frigates based at Devonport.
"However, some of the specialist work which is associated with the process has been paused on HMS Cumberland.
"This is purely down to interest from potential buyers."
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Mr Colvile said he was unaware of any developments in the decommissioning process – or a pressing need for backup in the Mediterranean .
But he said: "The majority of ships in Libya
"The Government is in a difficult position because we've got to make up the huge budget deficit we were left with."
Source: Plymouth
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