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Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Son of Scots helicopter crash victim urges Prime Minister's intervention
RAF Chinook ZD576 was carrying 25 British intelligence personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to a conference at Fort George near Inverness. The son of a RAF 1994 Chinook helicopter crash victim has called for the Prime Minister to intervene and allow a public inquiry after visiting the site of the disaster. On June 2 1994, RAF Chinook ZD576 was carrying 25 British intelligence personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to a conference at Fort George near Inverness when it crashed in foggy weather on the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. All 25 passengers, made up of personnel from MI5, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army, were killed, along with the helicopter's four crew members. Joel Hornby, whose father Major Anthony Hornby was one of the victims, visited a memorial cairn at the crash site on Saturday and again on Sunday. He and other families have said they will press on with seeking a judicial review after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) dismissed their demands for a judge-led public inquiry into the incident, and have written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asking him to intervene. Mr Hornby, who was seven when his father died, visited the site with his one-year-old son and laid a wreath at the cairn along with a note which read 'Dad, we are still fighting for you'. Speaking afterwards Mr Hornby, who lives in Berlin in Germany, said: 'We, the families of those lost, have still been denied answers over 30 years on. 'The MoD has rejected our request for a full judge-led public inquiry, and furthermore, has sealed documents relating to the crash for 100 years. 'We are requesting that the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer live up to his promises on duty of candour and overrule the MoD's decision.' He has also urged people to sign a petition calling on the Prime Minister to overturn the MoD decision and release the documents. Following the crash, the Chinook's pilots, Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, were accused of gross negligence, but this verdict was overturned by the UK Government 17 years later following a campaign by the families. A subsequent review by Lord Philip set out 'numerous concerns' raised by those who worked on the Chinooks, with the MoD's testing centre at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire declaring the Chinook Mk2 helicopters 'unairworthy' prior to the crash. In a statement after the calls made by the families on Friday 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.' The MoD has been asked to . Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
North Wales Chronicle
04-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Chinook 1994 helicopter crash families criticise MoD for ‘losing moral compass'
Relatives of the 29 victims who died on the aircraft have written to the Prime Minister to demand a full, independent, judge-led public inquiry to establish the truth into the disaster, accusing the MoD of 'losing its moral compass'. RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on its way from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George in Scotland, and all 25 passengers and four crew members were killed in the incident. A verdict of gross negligence against the pilots, flight lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, from a review into the incident by two senior RAF officers in 1995 was overturned by the Government in 2011 after a 16-year campaign by the families. Relatives have now written to the Prime Minister to intervene and are seeking a judicial review in the High Court. Chris Cook, whose brother Richard was one of the pilots killed in the disaster, said: 'In the BBC documentary that was shown early last year, what came to light was that the official documents to do with the accident have been sealed for 100 years by the Ministry of Defence. 'We weren't aware of that. There was news to me when I watched the programme. 'And so it seems rather suspicious to us that the documents are going to be locked away for such a long time.' He added: 'We campaigned for 16 years to clear the pilots' names and so many times we were given indications that information didn't exist. 'Based on the experience we had in our campaign, they wanted us to go away – simple as that. 'But my late father always said justice has no expiry dates. 'Sadly, he passed away before we cleared Rick's name. 'He never got to see that, he died six years beforehand. 'But those words mean an awful lot, it means don't give up. 'You know if you think that an injustice is being done, you keep fighting for it.' Mr Cook says there are 47 individuals that lost their fathers in the crash, most of whom were children and some not yet born, who have lived their whole lives without answers. Jenni Balmer Hornby, daughter of Anthony Hornby who was killed in the disaster, said: 'It was a week before my 10th birthday when the crash happened and so obviously I wasn't old enough to go to any of the earlier inquiries, but my mum went to those. 'For some time she felt that it was an accident because of these inquiries. 'But now we know that the full information wasn't given, so we know over time that these inquiries were completely ineffective. 'I think it's very clear to myself and everyone in the campaign that the MoD have lost their moral compass – I'm so certain now that the MoD is hiding something. 'I can't go another 31 years not knowing what happened to my father. 'Him and his colleagues risk their life for their country and in return, we have just been dismissed and fed lies for three decades and we all deserve a lot better.' Andy Tobias, who was just eight when his father John Tobias went on board RAF Chinook ZD576, has branded the response from the MoD as a 'betrayal'. He said: '(It's been) really tough. 'My brother and myself have not had a father, he's not been around to direct us through the challenges that you face in life. 'You never get over it but you learn to live with it. 'For us, the MoD have really let us down as families. 'It's been a complete betrayal to all of those men who boarded that flight and gave their life and service. 'If my father knew that his family were fighting so hard to get answers and to get the truth, he would be turning in his grave. Sue Sparks, whose husband Gary was killed in the crash, said: 'I think it would give us closure. 'Over the 30 years, we were led to believe it was an accident, which it wasn't. 'It could have been prevented. 'The helicopter was declared unairworthy and they were made to fly in it. 'It makes us feel angry and not treated properly by the MoD. 'As a war widow, I feel very, very let down by the Government and the MoD.' The MoD has been approached for comment.
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Chinook 1994 helicopter crash families criticise MoD for ‘losing moral compass'
Relatives of the 29 victims who died on the aircraft have written to the Prime Minister to demand a full, independent, judge-led public inquiry to establish the truth into the disaster, accusing the MoD of 'losing its moral compass'. RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on its way from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George in Scotland, and all 25 passengers and four crew members were killed in the incident. A verdict of gross negligence against the pilots, flight lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, from a review into the incident by two senior RAF officers in 1995 was overturned by the Government in 2011 after a 16-year campaign by the families. Relatives have now written to the Prime Minister to intervene and are seeking a judicial review in the High Court. Families of those killed in the 1994 Chinook crash Andy Tobias (left), Gaynor Tobias and Matt Tobias holding a photo of lieutenant colonel John Tobias (Jonathan Brady/PA) Chris Cook, whose brother Richard was one of the pilots killed in the disaster, said: 'In the BBC documentary that was shown early last year, what came to light was that the official documents to do with the accident have been sealed for 100 years by the Ministry of Defence. 'We weren't aware of that. There was news to me when I watched the programme. 'And so it seems rather suspicious to us that the documents are going to be locked away for such a long time.' He added: 'We campaigned for 16 years to clear the pilots' names and so many times we were given indications that information didn't exist. 'Based on the experience we had in our campaign, they wanted us to go away – simple as that. 'But my late father always said justice has no expiry dates. 'Sadly, he passed away before we cleared Rick's name. 'He never got to see that, he died six years beforehand. 'But those words mean an awful lot, it means don't give up. 'You know if you think that an injustice is being done, you keep fighting for it.' Undated family handout photo of pilot Richard Cook, who was killed in the 1994 Chinook crash (Family/PA) Mr Cook says there are 47 individuals that lost their fathers in the crash, most of whom were children and some not yet born, who have lived their whole lives without answers. Jenni Balmer Hornby, daughter of Anthony Hornby who was killed in the disaster, said: 'It was a week before my 10th birthday when the crash happened and so obviously I wasn't old enough to go to any of the earlier inquiries, but my mum went to those. 'For some time she felt that it was an accident because of these inquiries. 'But now we know that the full information wasn't given, so we know over time that these inquiries were completely ineffective. 'I think it's very clear to myself and everyone in the campaign that the MoD have lost their moral compass – I'm so certain now that the MoD is hiding something. 'I can't go another 31 years not knowing what happened to my father. 'Him and his colleagues risk their life for their country and in return, we have just been dismissed and fed lies for three decades and we all deserve a lot better.' Andy Tobias, who was just eight when his father John Tobias went on board RAF Chinook ZD576, has branded the response from the MoD as a 'betrayal'. He said: '(It's been) really tough. 'My brother and myself have not had a father, he's not been around to direct us through the challenges that you face in life. 'You never get over it but you learn to live with it. 'For us, the MoD have really let us down as families. 'It's been a complete betrayal to all of those men who boarded that flight and gave their life and service. 'If my father knew that his family were fighting so hard to get answers and to get the truth, he would be turning in his grave. Sue Sparks, whose husband Gary was killed in the crash, said: 'I think it would give us closure. 'Over the 30 years, we were led to believe it was an accident, which it wasn't. 'It could have been prevented. 'The helicopter was declared unairworthy and they were made to fly in it. 'It makes us feel angry and not treated properly by the MoD. 'As a war widow, I feel very, very let down by the Government and the MoD.' The MoD has been approached for comment.
South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Chinook 1994 helicopter crash families criticise MoD for ‘losing moral compass'
Relatives of the 29 victims who died on the aircraft have written to the Prime Minister to demand a full, independent, judge-led public inquiry to establish the truth into the disaster, accusing the MoD of 'losing its moral compass'. RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on its way from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George in Scotland, and all 25 passengers and four crew members were killed in the incident. A verdict of gross negligence against the pilots, flight lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, from a review into the incident by two senior RAF officers in 1995 was overturned by the Government in 2011 after a 16-year campaign by the families. Relatives have now written to the Prime Minister to intervene and are seeking a judicial review in the High Court. Families of those killed in the 1994 Chinook crash Andy Tobias (left), Gaynor Tobias and Matt Tobias holding a photo of lieutenant colonel John Tobias (Jonathan Brady/PA) Chris Cook, whose brother Richard was one of the pilots killed in the disaster, said: 'In the BBC documentary that was shown early last year, what came to light was that the official documents to do with the accident have been sealed for 100 years by the Ministry of Defence. 'We weren't aware of that. There was news to me when I watched the programme. 'And so it seems rather suspicious to us that the documents are going to be locked away for such a long time.' He added: 'We campaigned for 16 years to clear the pilots' names and so many times we were given indications that information didn't exist. 'Based on the experience we had in our campaign, they wanted us to go away – simple as that. 'But my late father always said justice has no expiry dates. 'Sadly, he passed away before we cleared Rick's name. 'He never got to see that, he died six years beforehand. 'But those words mean an awful lot, it means don't give up. 'You know if you think that an injustice is being done, you keep fighting for it.' Undated family handout photo of pilot Richard Cook, who was killed in the 1994 Chinook crash (Family/PA) Mr Cook says there are 47 individuals that lost their fathers in the crash, most of whom were children and some not yet born, who have lived their whole lives without answers. Jenni Balmer Hornby, daughter of Anthony Hornby who was killed in the disaster, said: 'It was a week before my 10th birthday when the crash happened and so obviously I wasn't old enough to go to any of the earlier inquiries, but my mum went to those. 'For some time she felt that it was an accident because of these inquiries. 'But now we know that the full information wasn't given, so we know over time that these inquiries were completely ineffective. 'I think it's very clear to myself and everyone in the campaign that the MoD have lost their moral compass – I'm so certain now that the MoD is hiding something. 'I can't go another 31 years not knowing what happened to my father. 'Him and his colleagues risk their life for their country and in return, we have just been dismissed and fed lies for three decades and we all deserve a lot better.' Andy Tobias, who was just eight when his father John Tobias went on board RAF Chinook ZD576, has branded the response from the MoD as a 'betrayal'. He said: '(It's been) really tough. 'My brother and myself have not had a father, he's not been around to direct us through the challenges that you face in life. 'You never get over it but you learn to live with it. 'For us, the MoD have really let us down as families. 'It's been a complete betrayal to all of those men who boarded that flight and gave their life and service. 'If my father knew that his family were fighting so hard to get answers and to get the truth, he would be turning in his grave. Sue Sparks, whose husband Gary was killed in the crash, said: 'I think it would give us closure. 'Over the 30 years, we were led to believe it was an accident, which it wasn't. 'It could have been prevented. 'The helicopter was declared unairworthy and they were made to fly in it. 'It makes us feel angry and not treated properly by the MoD. 'As a war widow, I feel very, very let down by the Government and the MoD.' The MoD has been approached for comment.
Leader Live
04-07-2025
- Leader Live
Chinook 1994 helicopter crash families criticise MoD for ‘losing moral compass'
Relatives of the 29 victims who died on the aircraft have written to the Prime Minister to demand a full, independent, judge-led public inquiry to establish the truth into the disaster, accusing the MoD of 'losing its moral compass'. RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on its way from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George in Scotland, and all 25 passengers and four crew members were killed in the incident. A verdict of gross negligence against the pilots, flight lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, from a review into the incident by two senior RAF officers in 1995 was overturned by the Government in 2011 after a 16-year campaign by the families. Relatives have now written to the Prime Minister to intervene and are seeking a judicial review in the High Court. Chris Cook, whose brother Richard was one of the pilots killed in the disaster, said: 'In the BBC documentary that was shown early last year, what came to light was that the official documents to do with the accident have been sealed for 100 years by the Ministry of Defence. 'We weren't aware of that. There was news to me when I watched the programme. 'And so it seems rather suspicious to us that the documents are going to be locked away for such a long time.' He added: 'We campaigned for 16 years to clear the pilots' names and so many times we were given indications that information didn't exist. 'Based on the experience we had in our campaign, they wanted us to go away – simple as that. 'But my late father always said justice has no expiry dates. 'Sadly, he passed away before we cleared Rick's name. 'He never got to see that, he died six years beforehand. 'But those words mean an awful lot, it means don't give up. 'You know if you think that an injustice is being done, you keep fighting for it.' Mr Cook says there are 47 individuals that lost their fathers in the crash, most of whom were children and some not yet born, who have lived their whole lives without answers. Jenni Balmer Hornby, daughter of Anthony Hornby who was killed in the disaster, said: 'It was a week before my 10th birthday when the crash happened and so obviously I wasn't old enough to go to any of the earlier inquiries, but my mum went to those. 'For some time she felt that it was an accident because of these inquiries. 'But now we know that the full information wasn't given, so we know over time that these inquiries were completely ineffective. 'I think it's very clear to myself and everyone in the campaign that the MoD have lost their moral compass – I'm so certain now that the MoD is hiding something. 'I can't go another 31 years not knowing what happened to my father. 'Him and his colleagues risk their life for their country and in return, we have just been dismissed and fed lies for three decades and we all deserve a lot better.' Andy Tobias, who was just eight when his father John Tobias went on board RAF Chinook ZD576, has branded the response from the MoD as a 'betrayal'. He said: '(It's been) really tough. 'My brother and myself have not had a father, he's not been around to direct us through the challenges that you face in life. 'You never get over it but you learn to live with it. 'For us, the MoD have really let us down as families. 'It's been a complete betrayal to all of those men who boarded that flight and gave their life and service. 'If my father knew that his family were fighting so hard to get answers and to get the truth, he would be turning in his grave. Sue Sparks, whose husband Gary was killed in the crash, said: 'I think it would give us closure. 'Over the 30 years, we were led to believe it was an accident, which it wasn't. 'It could have been prevented. 'The helicopter was declared unairworthy and they were made to fly in it. 'It makes us feel angry and not treated properly by the MoD. 'As a war widow, I feel very, very let down by the Government and the MoD.' The MoD has been approached for comment.
