The families of those killed in the RAF Chinook crash of 1994 are advocating for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to initiate a fresh, independent review into the tragedy, reports BritPanorama.
They are also requesting a meeting with Mr Burnham within his first 100 days in office to discuss their concerns.
Earlier this month, a High Court judge ruled that several victims’ families could not pursue legal action against the Ministry of Defence over the crash.
On June 2, 1994, twenty-nine serving military personnel died when the Chinook HC-2 helicopter crashed into Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre in foggy conditions. They were en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Inverness.
The majority on board consisted of British intelligence experts from MI5, the British Army, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
A previous inquiry in 2011 overturned an initial determination that the pilots were to blame but failed to ascertain the definitive cause of the incident.
The Chinook Justice Campaign (CJC), representing familial members of 25 victims, has sought to challenge the MoD’s “ongoing failure” to establish an “independent and effective investigation.”
However, the judge ruled the case inadmissible due to it being filed too late.
The CJC’s legal team plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, but Matt Tobias, the son of Lieutenant Colonel John Tobias who perished in the crash, commented that the families “do not want years of further litigation.”
Tobias remarked, “Mr Burnham has the power to prevent that by ordering a fresh independent review.”
He expressed hope for a meeting within Mr Burnham’s initial period in office to present the evidence gathered over recent years and elaborate on their belief that an independent review is now essential.
“Mr Burnham’s speech in the House of Commons, in which he spoke about ending Britain’s cover-up culture and strengthening the duty of candour, gave our families real hope,” he added.
“We ask that he and his ministers give the Chinook families more respect than we received from his predecessor, who denied us a meeting and an inquiry – believing MoD lies instead.”
“After 32 years, we are not asking for special treatment. We are simply asking for the truth.”
The CJC’s letter to Mr Burnham urged him to establish an independent review with full access to relevant documents regarding the Chinook Mk2 helicopter’s airworthiness and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The families noted, “Throughout your career you have argued that the State should never use its power to frustrate families seeking the truth.”
They suggested this case could be a pivotal moment for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to transparency in line with the Hillsborough Law.
Recently backed unanimously by MPs, this law would create a legally enforceable duty of candour requiring public officials to act transparently during inquiries.
The families have requested that victims minister Alex Davies-Jones, recently re-appointed, endorse their case as a test case under the Hillsborough Law.
Additionally, they have garnered support from former Conservative defense secretary, Sir Liam Fox, who has urged Mr Burnham to prioritize resolving the matter.
The CJC has also reached out to new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting in hopes of correcting past mistakes.
