Latest news with #Chinook:ZuluDelta576
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Families of deadly Mull of Kintyre Chinook disaster 'sickened' by Keir Starmer inquiry rejection
The response from Prime Minister Keir Starmer comes after more than 25,000 people have signed a petition demanding answers around the 1994 Chinook disaster. Families of the 1994 Chinook disaster victims are "sickened" saying they will "see the UK Government in court" after the Prime Minister rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into sealed documents from the deadly disaster. A total of 25 senior intelligence experts and four special forces crew were killed when the helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness 31 years ago. The incident was initially blamed on pilot error before being overturned in 2011. In a letter to the families, Sir Keir Starmer said a public inquiry would not "bring any greater certainty" and would not be "in the public interest" despite more than 25,000 signing a petition demanding answers. A BBC documentary last year, Chinook: Zulu Delta 576, revealed the files related to the tragedy had been sealed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 100 years. Families of the 29 people who died have set up the Chinook Justice Campaign to demand "truth and transparency" from the MoD. Sir Keir's letter followed an open letter sent to the Government by several families who renewed their calls for a public inquiry. Andy Tobias, who was eight when his 41-year-old father Lt Col John Tobias was killed, said the Prime Minister's response was "utterly pathetic". He said: "The Prime Minister talks the talk about transparency but he's just slammed the door in our face. He says the Government is committed to transparency and accountability, but on the other hand - we'll just seal away the files for a century and tell us bereaved families there's nothing to see here. His response is utterly pathetic." The Ministry of Defence (MoD) previously sealed archive documents relating to the crash until 2094. Mr Tobias continued: "The MoD has marked its own homework on this crash for 31 years and hidden behind data protection rules. "The PM should stand full square behind his promised duty of candour on public bodies. Instead he's hiding behind the deceitful MoD. I'm sickened and so are all the other families fighting for truth and transparency." Mr Tobias added: "Keir Starmer says we'll be disappointed by his letter. No, we are absolutely disgusted. But we will not give up. And we will see the MoD and UK Government in court." Sir Keir said the MoD had advised him that records they hold "offer no insights into the crash". His letter read: "This Government is committed to transparency and accountability. "However, given the extensive investigations already conducted into the crash, including two independent, judge-led processes, inquiries by both House of Commons and House of Lords select committees, and the original RAF board of inquiry, I do not believe that a new inquiry can bring any greater certainty or is in the public interest. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) advise that the records to which you refer offer no insights into the crash and are closed to protect the personal data of third parties." The Prime Minister added: "I am grateful for your letter and appreciate that this response will be disappointing to you and those you represent." The MoD has been approached for comment.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Thousands sign petition seeking truth about Mull of Kintyre Chinook helicopter disaster
25 senior intelligence experts, as well as four special forces crew, were killed when an RAF Chinook ZD576 helicopter crashed in 1994 A petition demanding answers about the Chinook disaster, which took 29 lives over three decades ago, has been signed by tens of thousands of individuals. The crash of RAF Chinook ZD576 helicopter on the Mull of Kintyre in western Scotland resulted in the deaths of 25 top intelligence experts and four special forces crew members. The helicopter was en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness in June 1994. Initially, the incident was attributed to pilot error, a decision that was subsequently reversed in 2011. Last year, the BBC aired a documentary titled 'Chinook: Zulu Delta 576' investigating the tragedy, revealing that related files had been sealed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a century. In the wake of the crash, the victims' families were left heartbroken and have since accused the MoD of a 'cover-up', demanding the release of all documents and a judge-led public inquiry into the incident, reports the Express. They are calling on the UK Government to impose a legal 'duty of candour' on all public bodies to ensure "no family has to ever battle for the truth again". "Twenty-nine people boarded Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994, all of them died," reads the petition, which has garnered over 25,000 signatures. "31 years later, we - their families - still have no answers. We have been denied truth, transparency and justice by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). "Our loved ones were forced to board an RAF helicopter with fatal software flaws that MoD test engineers had deemed 'positively dangerous' and 'not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever'. "We know key evidence was withheld or ignored in previous investigations. Former ministers say they were misled by the MoD and doubt airworthiness issues were investigated properly." The BBC has chosen to broadcast the documentary again this month, a move that has been praised by the families, with the opening episode screening this Sunday (August 17) at 9pm on BBC 2, followed by the second instalment a week afterwards. Family members have established The Chinook Justice Campaign and continue to call for openness from the MoD. Esme Sparks, whose father Major Gary Sparks perished in the tragedy, urged additional backing for the petition to stop future instances of "secrecy and wrongdoing". In response, an MoD 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. "The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review. "The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to third-party individuals. The early release of this information would breach those individuals' data protection rights."
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Chinook disaster: 25,000 demand answers over crash
The incident was initially blamed on pilot error before being overturned in 2011. A BBC documentary last year, Chinook: Zulu Delta 576, revealed the files related to the tragedy had been sealed by the MoD for 100 years. Read More: In a petition, the family of the victims have urged for the full release of all documents. They also call on the Prime Minister to undertake a judge-led public inquiry. The families have demanded the Government introduce a legal 'duty of candour' on all public bodies 'so that no family ever has to battle for the truth again'. The petition reads: 'Twenty-nine people boarded Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994. All of them died. '31 years later, we – their families – still have no answers. 'We have been denied truth, transparency and justice by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). 'Our loved ones were forced to board an RAF helicopter with fatal software flaws that MoD test engineers had deemed 'positively dangerous' and 'not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever'. 'We know key evidence was withheld or ignored in previous investigations. Former ministers say they were misled by the MoD and doubt airworthiness issues were investigated properly.' The family of the victims have welcomed the BBC's decision to re-air Chinook: Zulu Delta 576 this month as they push for answers, with the first part airing on Sunday, August 17 on BBC2 at 9pm and the second part a week later. Relatives of the 29 people who died have set up the Chinook Justice Campaign to demand 'truth and transparency' from the MoD. Dr Susan Phoenix's husband, Ian, a detective superintendent in the RUC, was among those killed. Dr Phoenix, 76, who lives in Portland, Dorset, said: 'It was solely down to this excellent two-part BBC documentary by Fine Point Films that brought all of the Chinook Justice families together to fight for truth, transparency and justice. 'Why would files on this horrific crash be sealed for 100 years without there being something to hide, not just from the widows of those on board, but from their children, and grandchildren? 'There is something rotten at the heart of the MoD that continues, having put 29 people on an aircraft that was not airworthy, to insult and patronise us all, just as it dishonours our loved ones. 'We are determined to find out the truth and we believe the British public want that too.' Esme Sparks was seven and her younger siblings were aged just two when their father Major Gary Sparks was killed in the crash. A secondary school teacher, from Darlington, Co Durham, Ms Sparks said: 'We are comforted by the fact that more than 25,000 people have signed our petition at and we would encourage anyone that is sick of state cover-ups to add their names so that we can get truth and transparency. 'The Prime Minister must urgently introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies, including the MoD which placed our relatives on an aircraft it knew to be unairworthy, to prevent this type of unacceptable secrecy and wrongdoing happening over and over again.' The MoD has been approached for comment.
ITV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
More than 25,000 sign petition demanding answers on 1994 Chinook disaster
More than 25,000 people have signed a petition demanding answers around the 1994 Chinook disaster. 25 senior intelligence experts and four special forces crew, died when an RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness on 2 June 1994. The incident was initially blamed on pilot error before being overturned in 2011. A BBC documentary last year, Chinook: Zulu Delta 576, revealed the files related to the tragedy had been sealed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 100 years. Families of the 29 people who died have set up the Chinook Justice Campaign to demand "truth and transparency" from the MoD. In a petition, the family of the victims have urged for the full release of all documents. They also call on the Prime Minister to undertake a judge-led public inquiry. The families have demanded the Government introduce a legal "duty of candour" on all public bodies "so that no family ever has to battle for the truth again." The petition reads: "Twenty-nine people boarded Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994. All of them died. "31 years later, we – their families – still have no answers. "We have been denied truth, transparency and justice by the Ministry of Defence. "Our loved ones were forced to board an RAF helicopter with fatal software flaws that MoD test engineers had deemed 'positively dangerous' and 'not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever'. "We know key evidence was withheld or ignored in previous investigations. Former ministers say they were misled by the MoD and doubt airworthiness issues were investigated properly." The family of the victims have welcomed the BBC's decision to re-air Chinook: Zulu Delta 576 this month as they push for answers, with the first part airing on Sunday, 17 August on BBC2 at 9pm and the second part a week later. Dr Susan Phoenix's husband, Ian, a detective superintendent in the RUC, was among those killed. Dr Phoenix, 76, who lives in Portland, Dorset, said: "It was solely down to this excellent two-part BBC documentary by Fine Point Films that brought all of the Chinook Justice families together to fight for truth, transparency and justice. 'Why would files on this horrific crash be sealed for 100 years without there being something to hide, not just from the widows of those on board, but from their children, and grandchildren? 'There is something rotten at the heart of the MoD that continues, having put 29 people on an aircraft that was not airworthy, to insult and patronise us all, just as it dishonours our loved ones. 'We are determined to find out the truth and we believe the British public want that too.' Esme Sparks was seven and her younger siblings were aged just two when their father Major Gary Sparks was killed in the crash. A secondary school teacher, from Darlington, Co Durham, Ms Sparks said: "The Prime Minister must urgently introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies, including the MoD which placed our relatives on an aircraft it knew to be unairworthy, to prevent this type of unacceptable secrecy and wrongdoing happening over and over again." An MOD spokesperson 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. "The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent Judge-led review. "The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to third party individuals. The early release of this information would breach those individuals' data protection rights."
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
More than 25,000 sign petition demanding answers on 1994 Chinook disaster
A total of 25 senior intelligence experts and four special forces crew were killed when an RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness on June 2 that year. The incident was initially blamed on pilot error before being overturned in 2011. A BBC documentary last year, Chinook: Zulu Delta 576, revealed the files related to the tragedy had been sealed by the MoD for 100 years. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. In a petition, the family of the victims have urged for the full release of all documents. They also call on the Prime Minister to undertake a judge-led public inquiry. The families have demanded the Government introduce a legal 'duty of candour' on all public bodies 'so that no family ever has to battle for the truth again'. The petition reads: 'Twenty-nine people boarded Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994. All of them died. '31 years later, we – their families – still have no answers. 'We have been denied truth, transparency and justice by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). 'Our loved ones were forced to board an RAF helicopter with fatal software flaws that MoD test engineers had deemed 'positively dangerous' and 'not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever'. 'We know key evidence was withheld or ignored in previous investigations. Former ministers say they were misled by the MoD and doubt airworthiness issues were investigated properly.' The family of the victims have welcomed the BBC's decision to re-air Chinook: Zulu Delta 576 this month as they push for answers, with the first part airing on Sunday, August 17 on BBC2 at 9pm and the second part a week later. Relatives of the 29 people who died have set up the Chinook Justice Campaign to demand 'truth and transparency' from the MoD. Dr Susan Phoenix's husband, Ian, a detective superintendent in the RUC, was among those killed. Dr Phoenix, 76, who lives in Portland, Dorset, said: 'It was solely down to this excellent two-part BBC documentary by Fine Point Films that brought all of the Chinook Justice families together to fight for truth, transparency and justice. 'Why would files on this horrific crash be sealed for 100 years without there being something to hide, not just from the widows of those on board, but from their children, and grandchildren? 'There is something rotten at the heart of the MoD that continues, having put 29 people on an aircraft that was not airworthy, to insult and patronise us all, just as it dishonours our loved ones. 'We are determined to find out the truth and we believe the British public want that too.' Esme Sparks was seven and her younger siblings were aged just two when their father Major Gary Sparks was killed in the crash. A secondary school teacher, from Darlington, Co Durham, Ms Sparks said: 'We are comforted by the fact that more than 25,000 people have signed our petition at and we would encourage anyone that is sick of state cover-ups to add their names so that we can get truth and transparency. 'The Prime Minister must urgently introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies, including the MoD which placed our relatives on an aircraft it knew to be unairworthy, to prevent this type of unacceptable secrecy and wrongdoing happening over and over again.'
