LORD Nelson’s HMS Victory is being restored — with oak from his old enemy France.
British wood is not considered good enough to patch up the Royal Navy’s most famous vessel.
The move sparked outrage yesterday, with ex-Navy chief Lord West blasting: “Lord Nelson will be spinning in his grave.
“But I do understand that they need to use the best wood, I just wish we had better forests in this country.”
Restorers launched a £45million project last year to fix the 3,500-tonne ship, which is in a dry dock at Portsmouth.
The National Museum of The Royal Navy has now awarded contracts to companies which all source wood from French forests.
Project manager Simon Williams admitted it was “ironic” but said the French have “superiorly managed forests”, adding: “We’re after the best- quality timber.”
He also claimed that Nelson was “very concerned” at our forests.
HMS Victory led the British fleet in defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Nelson was shot on board and died a hero.
It is hoped its restoration will be finished by 2035.
