Nimrod recommendations ignored

The Ministry of Defence is coming under criticism for delaying the implementation of key safety recommendations in Nimrod aircraft.

The revelation came during a Nimrod safety debate called by Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson MP in the wake of the tragic loss of Nimrod XV230 in Afghanistan which killed 14 servicemen. The entire Nimrod fleet is based in RAF Kinloss in Mr Robertson’s Moray constituency.

During the Westminster Hall Debate Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth MP confirmed that the full implementation of key safety criteria was now expected in June 2009, in contrast to recent MOD evidence to a Coroners Inquest which promised completion by the end of 2008.

Following the loss of Nimrod XV230 the MOD commissioned a report by defence contractor QinetiQ, which concluded there were 30 safety improvements needed before the risk-level of the Nimrod fleet was at the acceptable standard of "as low as reasonably practicable" (ALARP).

Speaking after the debate Mr Robertson said:

"It is a real concern that the MOD has delayed the implementation of key safety requirements for the Nimrod aircraft fleet.

"The Minister gave no explanation for the slippage which is hardly going to provide the reassurance that so many people want to hear.

"Defence contractor QinetiQ made 30 key recommendations in October 2007 and the MOD has still not confirmed how many have been implemented in full and when the rest will be completed.

"Having paid more than £26 million pounds for this advice it is beyond me why senior MOD managers are dragging their feet.

"It is like your car failing its MOT and taking 20 months to make the necessary improvements. It wouldn’t be allowed in a motor vehicle, so I don’t see why the MOD think it is acceptable for an RAF aircraft."

Background:

Group Captain Colin Hickman who is responsible for Nimrod safety gave evidence to the Coroners Inquest into the loss of XV230 about the risk-level ‘ALARP’ on 21st May 2008 saying that "the target is to have it all completed by the end of 2008".

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Bob Ainsworth MP told today’s Westminster Hall Debate on ‘Safety of the RAF Nimrod Fleet’ that the ‘ALARP’ status would now be achieved "by June 2009", which is 20 months after the recommendations were made by QinetiQ.

Moray MP Angus Robertson has now asked Defence Ministers the same question three times about the 30 QinetiQ recommendations without success: How many have been implemented in full already? When specifically do you expect the remaining recommendations to be implemented in full?