Probe hope for fighter jet smash families

THE families of RAF airmen killed in a fighter jet collision have been given fresh hope that a public inquiry will be held into the tragedy.

Three men died and one was seriously injured when two Tornado GR4s collided on a training mission over the Moray Firth.

An investigation found that the lack of anti-collision equipment on the jets was a factor in the 2012 mid-air accident.

Despite this, prosecutors ruled out a fatal accident inquiry three years ago as it was felt it would just repeat the findings of an investigation conducted by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA).

However, Nationalist Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is now due to have talks with the Crown Office to seek a review of that decision.

He and a key campaigner claim that new evidence deserves to be heard in open court.

Scotland’s chief legal officer James Wolffe, QC, has agreed to Mr Lochhead meeting the head of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit at the Crown Office.

The MSP argues that a fatal accident inquiry would differ from the MAA investigation by offering more focus on the cause of death, as well as the accident, and would be in the public interest.

He claims a constituent – retired RAF officer Jimmy Jones – has new evidence which should be subject to public scrutiny.

Mr Jones’s dossier lists 20 items of what is said to be new evidence, including claims of a flawed risk assessment and alleged safety failings relating to an ejector seat. Mr Lochhead said: ‘Our meeting will provide us with a long-awaited opportunity to persuade the Crown Office to reconsider the case for an open and transparent fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy.’

He added: ‘Our aim at the meeting to be held in the next few weeks will be to convince the Crown Office to revisit the original decision to reject an FAI.

‘The families and everyone affected need to know all the relevant issues are out in the open.’

The Crown Office has confirmed that a meeting has been arranged.