Hague helicopter inquiry ordered

Mr Hague arriving in Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

An investigation has been launched after William Hague's campaign helicopter reportedly had a "near miss" with another vehicle in mid-air.

The Tory leader has described how the helicopter made a "sharp movement" as he flew to a rally in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Newspaper reports said the Sikorsky S-76 was almost hit by another helicopter and had to bank suddenly.

Ffion Hague is said to have been on board

Mr Hague was accompanied by his wife Ffion, four aides - including Sebastian Coe - and a Special Branch officer when the incident occurred.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Mr Hague praised his pilot Andy Beattie for taking evasive action.

He said: "It wasn't very scary because the pilot was in full control of the situation."

Explaining that the incident would be properly investigated, he added: "It was just a sharp movement as far as the passengers were concerned."

Initial report

A spokeswoman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said: "The UK Airprox Board, a separate body to the CAA set up to look at incidents such as near-misses, had received an initial report regarding an S-76 helicopter and another at 1445BST on Tuesday 5 June at 2,500 feet."

The spokeswoman could not confirm who was in either helicopter.

An RAF spokeswoman also confirmed a report had been sent to the UK Airprox Board, a joint civil and military organisation operating out of the CAA.

It could not be confirmed whether the second helicopter was a military helicopter.

Both helicopters were flying in an area of uncontrolled air space, and therefore not under the guidance of air traffic controllers.

In such areas, it is the duty of pilots to act on a "see and be seen basis".