Latest news with #PeterWatson
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Lockerbie lawyer urges those impacted by Air India disaster to seek legal advice
A lawyer, who was secretary of the Lockerbie air disaster group, advising families affected by the bombing, has urged those impacted by the Air India disaster to seek legal advice before entering 'agreements'. The Air India flight AI 171 was heading towards Gatwick from Ahmedabad Airport, officially Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, when it crashed minutes after take-off on Thursday. The aircraft had 244 people on board, from India, Britain, Portugal and Canada, Air India said. It added that there were 53 British nationals on the flight, one of whom is believed to have survived. The aircraft was due to land at Gatwick Airport at 6.25pm on Thursday. Air India's chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, described the incident as a 'tragic accident' and a 'devastating event' and said emergency response teams are at the site. It is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. STV News 270 people were killed in the Lockerbie attack. Solicitor advocate, professor Peter Watson, represented the British victims who died after Pan Am Flight 103, which was travelling from London to New York, exploded over Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway. The attack killed all 259 on board and 11 residents on the ground in the Scottish town. He has urged families who have lost loved ones in the Air India crash to not agree anything with airlines or insurers before seeking legal advice. A statement read: 'Today's incident will end up a complex case involving both the manufacturers of the aircraft Boeing and Air India. Almost certainly any claims arising will be dealt with in the United States and it's important those involved get specialist advice. 'The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a history of quality-related problems involving battery fires, manufacturing quality control issues, cockpit and autopilot concerns, and all of this will be investigated by air accident specialists to determine where the fault lies, including investigating any possibility of pilot error.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Western Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Lawyer joins calls for sealed Chinook crash documents to be released
RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed in foggy weather on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2 1994 while carrying 25 British intelligence personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness. The crash killed all 25 passengers along with all four members of the helicopter's crew in what remains one of the RAF's worst peacetime losses of life. Following the crash, the helicopter's dead pilots, flight lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, were accused of gross negligence, but this was overturned in 2011, with the Government saying there was 'no justification' for it. A number of investigations into the incident have been carried out, including a judge-led review, but last year a BBC documentary revealed a number of documents linked to the crash have been sealed for 100 years – meaning they will not be made public before 2094. The continued secrecy around these documents is indefensible after 30 years. The families deserve transparency and accountability Professor Peter Watson, PBW Law The legal representative for Flight Lieutenant Cook has now joined bereaved families in calling for those documents to be made public and for the truth about what happened to RAF Chinook ZD576 to be revealed. Professor Peter Watson, solicitor advocate of PBW Law, said: 'The continued secrecy around these documents is indefensible after 30 years. The families deserve transparency and accountability. 'The men and women who died were dedicated public servants, military and civilian alike, lost in one of the most tragic peacetime events in RAF history. 'The fact their loved ones are still fighting for the truth three decades later is a national disgrace. 'The decision to seal vital documents for a century – until 2094 – is extraordinary and unjustified. What possible reason can there be for shielding the facts from public scrutiny for so long, particularly after the pilots were exonerated? 'The persistence of secrecy only fuels mistrust and prolongs the suffering of grieving families. It is time for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Government to act with integrity and release these documents. 'The public, and most importantly the families, have a right to know the full truth.' Lord Philip's review set out numerous concerns raised by those who worked on the Chinooks, with staff at the MoD's testing centre at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire declaring the helicopters 'unfit to fly' prior to the crash. Prof Watson's call comes after the Chinook Justice Campaign, which includes the families of those who died, issued an open letter renewing calls for a public inquiry and for the sealed documents to be released in full. The group made a formal request for a public inquiry in October, but this was turned down by minister for veterans and people Alistair Carns in December. The group added that the minister has not responded to further requests for a meeting. The open letter also describes the 'huge concern and upset' experienced by the bereaved families as a result of the sealed documents. 'The papers will not be released until 2094, long after the spouses and children of those killed have themselves passed away,' it states. 'It is unbearable to us as bereaved families to know that this sealed information could give us the answers we need.' The MoD has been approached for comment.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey election roadshow dominated by cost-of-living concerns
Controlling the cost of living and building more homes were highlighted as the key issues for people at BBC Guernsey's first election at Pembroke Bay said unless these issues were tackled, they saw a "bleak" future for the Ltd manager Mandy Mackleworth said she knew "several people who are struggling and living hand to mouth".Vale resident Martyn Dorey was one of those who said he was worried about the cost of living: "Everything is going up, faster than the pension." For Mr Dorey, on his morning walk as he visited the BBC roadshow, GST and the cost of living are the two election issues he will be focussing on when he selects who to vote for."There are people that I know who are struggling, to add in GST with that even with the changes to allowances will be tough," he said, before adding he had been "disappointed" by the manifestos he had seen so States of Guernsey agreed to a plan to introduce a 5% GST from 2027 alongside reductions to income tax rates for low earners and reforms to social security contributions. Members of the current States dubbed the current lack of housing a "crisis" and voters this morning echoed their Watson, chair of the Guernsey Development Agency, said he wanted to see deputies "be serious" about investing in infrastructure and housing: "We need to stop our youngsters leaving."His concerns were echoed by Mrs Mackleworth: "We don't have enough housing, having worked in the health sector for 14 years a lot of people who are band three or four support worker level, can't afford to live here."I know several people, including Grow staff, who are struggling and living hand to mouth. We need to support people to live on island." Vale resident Mike Watt said he wanted to see a focus on safety on the island's roads. "There needs to be a root and branch review of speed limits. I live on the Ville Baudu next to a road where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour, and that's a dangerous speed. "It doesn't feel like it's being enforced, it makes it feel more dangerous with no pavement on the road, you feel like you're taking your live in your hands when you walk along it, especially with a dog. Mike's neighbour John Marquis agreed there needed to be more done to protect vulnerable road users. "There are people who take no heed of public safety and to be honest the island's small, why speed, there's no need you're normally only two minutes away from where you need to be."Guernsey Police's annual report from 2023 showed there were 113 charges relating to speeding offences. One dogwalker who visited the roadshow said she did not feel represented by the system of island-wide voting, while another said she would be looking for candidates who were actively looking to change the electoral Barry Bridel said he did not feel he had representation under the current 2018 Guernsey's voting system was changed after a referendum. In 2020 the first island-wide election happened with more than 31,000 signing up to the electoral roll and record Guernsey's next election roadshow is on 28 May outside Vistas at Vazon Bay.
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Scot who won sports car and £50k cash plans to celebrate by getting haircut
The airport worker, from Edinburgh, scooped the prize in the Best of the Best (BOTB) competition, where petrol heads enter an online draw to win a luxury vehicle CUT AND DRIVE Scot who won sports car and £50k cash plans to celebrate by getting haircut Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A THRIFTY Scot who won a car and cash prize worth almost £100,000 said he would celebrate by getting a new haircut before investing his winnings. Peter Watson, 63, was given the keys to a brand new Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack worth £44,000 and handed £50,000 in cash after paying just £1.35 to enter a spot-the-ball competition. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Peter Watson scooped a new car worth £44,000 and £50,000 in cash 3 The lucky airport worker spent just £1.35 to enter a spot-the-ball competition The airport worker, from Edinburgh, scooped the prize in the Best of the Best (BOTB) competition, where petrol heads enter an online draw to win a luxury vehicle. He was at home with his wife Julie when BOTB arrived at his door to tell him he had won and filmed his reaction. The car lover said that as a Scot his only extravagance would be a new haircut before making plans to invest the money. Asked about his plans after winning, Peter, who works at Edinburgh Airport, said: "Believe it or not I'm going to get a haircut. "You probably don't get many people saying this but I'm going to invest the cash. I am Scottish after all. There are also a few jobs to do around the house. "I spent the rest of the day shaking my head still in disbelief that I had won. It's fantastic. "I've loved cars since I was a kid and my whole family were petrolheads. I only got rid of my first ever car, an MG Roadster, last year to make way for a Caterham." The high-performance GR Yaris comes with an i3 Turbo engine, 276bhp, and can hit top speeds of 145mph. The £50,000 cash prize was hidden in the boot of the car for Peter after he accepted the keys. BOTB presenter Christian Williams, who turned up at Peter's home to tell him he had won, said: "A huge congratulations to Peter for winning this fantastic car and cash prize bundle. Flying car promises to transform into plane in two minutes "This car is wicked – one of my favourites we've given away. "It looks incredible, handles like a dream and comes in either manual or automatic, but I've got a feeling Peter's going to go for the manual – he's a proper enthusiast." Leading car competitions company BOTB hands over the keys to a stunning dream car each week as well as a lifestyle prize. It also offers people the chance to win a holiday, cash, tech, cars and more in its Instant Wins Competition. Founded by William Hindmarch in 1999, BOTB has given away £94.4million worth of cars so far.
