REPORTS that the sell-off of 4,000 Army Land Rovers had turned into a sham because replacement models had not been delivered on time have been denied by both Land Rover and the Ministry of Defence. A national newspaper claimed the Army was sticking to the sale of the Series III vehicles, despite late delivery of more than 7,000 Land Rover Defenders.

It said troops would be left short of vehicles in the meantime. However, the MoD said the Army had been told of no such delays and Land Rover said delivery of the Defenders was on schedule.