German defence minister addresses criticism of son's helicopter trip

German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has expressed understanding of public criticism of her decision to take her son on a trip on a government helicopter, reported dpa.

Lambrecht took her 21-year-old son with her on a trip to northern Germany in mid-April. He did not take part in the troop visit Lambrecht attended. After an overnight stay in a hotel, they went by car to the nearby island of Sylt.

The minister covered all of her son's expenses herself.

Lambrecht told ZDF that as a trained lawyer, minister and citizen, it was important that all her decisions are "completely legally correct."

"That is the case here - the costs have been covered," she said. "But as a mother, it is also important to me to keep in touch with my son."

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Michael Roth, told broadcaster RTL/ntv that a resignation by Lambrecht was not appropriate.

"If someone behaves according to the rules, that is no reason to resign," he said.