The families of those killed in the 1994 RAF Chinook disaster have welcomed the progress of Hillsborough Law through Parliament but say the Government must now apply the same principles of openness and accountability to their own long-running fight for the truth.
As MPs prepare to advance legislation designed to impose a legal duty of candour on public authorities, the Chinook Justice Campaign has accused the Ministry of Defence of continuing to resist transparency over one of Britain’s worst military aviation disasters, describing the contrast as both “ironic” and deeply disappointing ahead of a key court hearing.
The Official Crash Memorial
Nicola Rawcliffe, whose brother Chris was killed in the 1994 crash, said:
“While we wholeheartedly welcome the news that Hillsborough Law will progress this week, the timing could hardly be more ironic.
“As Parliament moves the bill towards its final stages, with the Government committing itself to a new legal duty of candour across public authorities, the Ministry of Defence continues to oppose the Chinook families’ efforts to uncover the full truth about one of Britain’s worst military disasters.
“The purpose of Hillsborough Law is to ensure that public bodies are open, honest and transparent with bereaved families, rather than forcing them to spend decades fighting for the truth.
“Yet while Parliament is taking that important step forward, the Ministry of Defence continues to resist transparency in our own case and, we learn, tried to insert a last minute block to the bill this week.
“We hope the principles behind Hillsborough Law will now be reflected not just in legislation, but in the Government’s actions towards the Chinook families who are in court tomorrow fighting MoD secrecy.
“The Government cannot champion candour in Parliament while continuing to defend secrecy in the Chinook case.”
