Families of victims of an RAF helicopter disaster have accused the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of 'callous disregard' and called for an explanation over the release of deeply sensitive personal information in connection to the 1994 incident. The families have also demanded a public inquiry into the tragedy.
Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sportThe families of victims of an RAF helicopter disaster have accused the Ministry of Defence of ‘ callous disregard ’ after deeply sensitive data was released by the department.
Unseen files regarding the 1994 incident, which saw all those on board the Chinook lose their lives when it crashed in the Mull of Kintyre, were released under Freedom of Information laws. But the material included deeply sensitive personal information relating to the bereaved families. The Chinook Justice Campaign, which has been fighting for a public inquiry into the tragedy, has now lodged a formal complaint and demanded the MoD refer itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
It has also called on ministers to issue an urgent explanation as to how the personal data was released to the media. Lawyer Mark Stephens, acting for the families, said: ‘This represents a serious failure to protect the rights of families who have been deceived and lied to from day one.
The wreckage of the RAF Chinook helicopter, which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994 The families of those lost in the Chinook disaster have long campaigned for more documents to be released about the crash ‘It shows a callous disregard for their personal information, has added trauma to a three-decade long fight for the truth and raises fundamental questions about the department’s handling of sensitive material.
‘The MoD must urgently explain how and why it placed personal information about bereaved families into the public domain without proper safeguards or due process or any discussion with those families. ‘This is completely and utterly unacceptable and they deserve a full and frank apology and an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister, to which he has committed.
’ On June 2, 1994, all 29 people on board the Mark II Chinook travelling from Northern Ireland to Inverness were killed when it crashed on the Mull of Kintyre. The pilots were wrongly blamed for the disaster, but were eventually formally cleared in 2011. The sensitive personal documents were released to broadcaster BFBS, which issued the FOI request after veterans minister Louise Sandher-Jones stated that some sealed documents were FOI-able.
While campaigners have repeatedly called for all documents relating to the crash to be released – including those which were sealed for 100 years – they have also suggested any sensitive documents should be reviewed by a judge in a public inquiry. So far they have not won the battle for an inquiry, and the release of the deeply personal documents has left families furious.
Chris Cook, whose brother Flight Lieutenant Rick Cook was killed and blamed for gross negligence before being cleared alongside fellow pilot Flight Lieutenant Jonathan Tapper, said: ‘For more than 20 years our families have fought for truth and accountability. For 16 of those, we had to fight to clear Rick and Jon’s names.
‘To now find that personal information has been exposed in this way is deeply distressing. ‘It shows a complete lack of care for the families and the impact this crash and long fight for justice has had on all of us. ’ The MoD was approached for comment.
RAF Helicopter Disaster Ministry Of Defence Sensitive Personal Data Freedom Of Information Information Commissioner's Office Public Inquiry Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones Sealed Documents 100 Years Chris Cook RAF Chinook Helicopter Mull Of Kintyre 1994 Incident Callous Disregard Trauma
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