A former Secretary of State for Defence has expressed “deep concerns” over a helicopter crash which killed 29 soldiers and security personnel. Earlier this week former Defence Secretary Sir Liam Fox held a meeting with the families of those killed when the Chinook helicopter crashed into the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.
The families have alleged a cover up by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) after key documents that would explain how an airframe that was subject to safety concerns was allowed to take off. Documents have been sealed for 100 years whilst calls for a public inquiry have been rejected both by the Prime Minister and the MOD. Speaking after the meeting, Fox said: “It was my pleasure to meet some of the members of the Chinook Justice Campaign and to listen to their harrowing stories, and their suspicions about what may have happened.
“I share their very deep concerns about the circumstances surrounding the crash and I have committed to a full investigation to ensure that the truth is laid before the British people.
“As the Defence Secretary who, after the conclusions of the Mull of Kintyre Review, cleared the two pilots of blame, I have assured the families that I will give this my full attention and help to establish the truth about what happened.”
Evidence which has been leaked to the families – and available on the Chinook Justice Campaign website – confirms that the aircraft was not airworthy and should never have taken off on that fateful flight, killing all on board.
Andy Tobias, whose father Lt Col John Tobias, 41, an intelligence officer, was killed in the crash, said: “The support of Sir Liam Fox means a huge amount to all of the families. As the man who was brave enough to see through the MoD’s lies and clear the pilots of blame, we firmly believe that he can help us get to the truth about the circumstances leading up to the crash.
“The MoD keeps telling us that no new inquiry is necessary, and points to the judge-led inquiry set up by Sir Liam which was established solely to discover whether the pilots were to blame. They were cleared. Given Sir Liam supports our case – then the MoD’s argument is void. They must stop trying to gaslight the families of the dead.”
In the wake of the crash, the two pilots were wrongly blamed for gross negligence before being cleared 17 years later, whilst Fox was Defence Secretary, after campaigning by families.
Last week, former RAF Squadron Leader Robert Burke, who conducted tests on the Chinook helicopter fleet, revealed that the crashed aircraft’s final journey was ordered into the air as a “show flight” to prove that the upgrade from Mark 1 to Mark 2 was ‘safe’ – despite serious and known concerns about airworthiness raised by RAF test engineers and pilots at Boscombe Down.
The leaked files show that the Boeing Mark 2 Chinook’s FADEC engine software experienced “unpredictable malfunctions” as well as “shutdowns and surges in power”. The aircraft was considered by test engineers at Boscombe Down “not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever” and Lord Philip’s Review in 2011 confirmed this was ‘mandated’ upon the RAF.
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.
“We understand that the lack of certainty about the cause of the crash has added to the distress of the families.
“We provided a detailed and considered response to the pre-action protocol letter stating the reasons why we cannot accept the demand for establishing a new public inquiry.
“It’s unlikely that a public inquiry would identify any new evidence or reach new conclusions on the basis of existing evidence.
“The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review.”
Details of the Chinook Justice Campaign can be found at chinookjusticecampaign.co.