Walsh: No need for State to keep Aer Lingus stake

FORMER Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh has said he cannot understand why the Government is retaining a stake in the airline.

Mr Walsh, who left Aer Lingus to become chief executive of British Airways, said he would not be a buyer of shares in his former employer if they came on the market.

Aer Lingus is currently fighting in the European courts to force Ryanair to dispose of its 29% in the former national carrier.