EXCLUSIVE Fox to push PM on Chinook probe

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

Former Defence Secretary Sir Liam Fox has vowed to lobby the Prime Minister for answers over the Chinook helicopter tragedy on the Mull of Kintyre amid fears of a 'cover-up'.
The families of British intelligence personnel killed in the crash in 1994 are suing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in an attempt to end three decades of secrecy over the disaster.
As Defence Secretary in 2011, Sir Liam published the results of an independent review, led by Lord Philip, which recommended that an earlier finding that the pilots were negligent to a gross degree should be 'set aside'.
But Sir Liam told the Mail he was determined to help families of those killed in the Chinook tragedy - saying he felt 'disquiet' over the suggestion that information may have been withheld.
Sir Liam, who was Defence Secretary from 2010-11, said: 'I was instrumental in getting answers for the families last time with the review which found the cause was not pilot error.
'At the time, I was very concerned that there should be no cover-up and when I saw some reports that there may have been questions about the airworthiness of the Chinook, this made me anxious that everything we could find out was in the public domain.
'If the families remain concerned, I would be prepared to intervene with the MoD, and if necessary with the Prime Minister, to ensure that at no time were the facts withheld.
'I was and remain determined that the families get closure and that there is no possibility of a cover-up.
'We all feel a bit of disquiet that everything we needed to know may not have been available – it may require further investigation, but I am determined to get to the truth.'
The Chinook helicopter, known by its serial number Zulu Delta 576, went down in fog on the Kintyre peninsula on June 2, 1994.
It was carrying 25 senior intelligence officials from the British Army, MI5 and the RUC from Northern Ireland to a meeting in Scotland.
All on board died, including four special forces crew.
The RAF initially blamed the pilots but later this claim was withdrawn.
The MoD has sealed documents relating to the incident until 2094, meaning few living relatives will ever know exactly what happened to their loved ones.
Earlier this month, exactly 31 years after the tragedy, lawyers for relatives of the dead formally launched a legal action as part of their campaign for a full and final inquiry.
Mark Stephens, from law firm Howard Kennedy, and barristers from Doughty Street Chambers, are representing relatives of 23 of the 29 people who died.
Working pro bono, they have sent a letter to the MoD saying they are seeking a judicial review 'into the government's failure, and refusal, to order a judge-led public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash, under Article 2 of the Human Rights Act which protects the right to life'.
There have been other formal investigations, including a fatal accident inquiry.
Mr Stephens and the other lawyers do not believe these were valid as they did not have access to the sealed documents.
Their claim states: 'These investigations have been hampered by limited access to important information and evidence, and unduly narrow scopes of investigation.'
Family members said they only discovered a 100-year rule had been applied to the crash after watching a BBC documentary.
Esme Sparks, a teacher, from Darlington, Co Durham, whose father, Major Gary Sparks died on Zulu Delta 576, told The Times: 'We don't want to have to take legal action against the government and MoD but we do want and need answers surrounding the circumstances of this crash.
'We want to know who or what is being protected? Who made the decision to let this helicopter take off? What is being hidden? In our view a public inquiry is key.'
The families have particular concerns about a retro-fit to the helicopter before its crash.
The aircraft was said to have experienced 'unpredictable malfunctions' as well as 'shutdowns and surges in power'.
Engineers at Boscombe Down, an MoD test centre, said the helicopter should 'not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever'.
One of those who died in the crash was Anne James, 42, who was born and brought up in Lennoxtown, near Glasgow, and had worked at GCHQ in Cheltenham for almost 24 years.
The MoD said it would not comment on the 'actions of a former minister'.
A spokesman said: 'The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died.
'We have received a pre-action protocol letter from the Chinook Justice Campaign and are considering our response.
'Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.'