Minister quits to race in Le Mans
Defense Minister Lord Drayson has taken a "leave of absence" from the government in a bid to take part in the world-famous 24-hour Le Mans race.
The 47-year-old is resigning from his unpaid post to take part in a series of qualifying events in the United States.
The 47-year-old is resigning from his unpaid post to take part in a series of qualifying events in the United States.
A government spokesman said it was "a key step towards his eventual dream of success" in Le Mans.
But a mother whose son died in Iraq because of a lack of proper kit said: "It's really insensitive timing."
A coroner has ruled that an Army logistics failure led to the unlawful killing Fusilier Gordon Gentle, 19, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in June 2004.
'Priorities'?
His mother, Rose, 43, from Glasgow, said of Lord Drayson's move: "He should be at his desk, not trotting off to some race. It just shows another breakdown in the chain of command.
"I think the servicemen and women are more important than him doing a motor race." More at BBC