Real progress on Fatal Accident Inquiries

Moray MP, and SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson MP has welcomed progress today between the Scottish Government and UK Government which will allow Fatal Accident Inquiries into the deaths of Scottish-based service personnel to be held in Scotland.

At present, all UK service personnel killed abroad are repatriated to England and all inquiries are conducted by an English Coroners Inquest necessitating significant costs and long round trips for family members. There was currently no provision for Scottish Fatal Accident Inquiries into overseas military deaths.

The anomalous situation was highlighted in September 2006 following the loss of Nimrod XV230 in Afghanistan. Although ten of the fourteen service personnel killed aboard the aircraft were based in RAF Kinloss in Moray, the inquest into the fatal crash took place in Oxfordshire.

Mr Robertson, who has been a leading campaigner for the change, said:

"I am delighted by the progress made by the Scottish Government and UK Ministers, and this is clearly a real step forward.

"This issue has always been about family members who deserve the best support and assistance after the deaths of a loved one. It was crazy that Service families in Scotland have had to travel so far and at great cost to inquiries in the south of England.

"With only minor technical arrangements remaining between Holyrood and Whitehall I am confident that these important changes will come about in the very near future."