AGREEMENT ON SCOTS MILITARY INQUIRIES (FAI's).

AGREEMENT ON SCOTS MILITARY INQUIRIES (FAI's).

CAMPAIGNERS AND FAMILIES HAIL PROGRESS.

The agreement of Scottish and UK Ministers to allow Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAI’s) into overseas military deaths has received a warm welcome by campaigners and service families.

Moray MP, and SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson who has led the political campaign for the change and Shona Beattie whose husband died aboard RAF Nimrod XV230 said the decision to proceed by the Scottish Government and UK Ministers was “a victory for common sense”.

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 is 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.

Moray MP, and Westminster SNP leader, Mr Robertson said:

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government and UK Ministers have agreed a way forward that will allow inquiries into overseas military deaths in Scotland.

“This issue has always been about family members who deserve the best support and assistance after the deaths of a loved one. It is 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 changes will come about in the very near future.”

Shona Beattie, whose husband Flight Sergeant Stephen Beattie died aboard Nimrod XV230 said:

“It is really good news that the Scottish Government has made substantial progress with the UK Ministry of Defence.

“For decades Service families in Scotland have been overlooked but this is changing. It is now time for the Scots legal system to play its role investigating overseas military deaths.

“Hopefully in the weeks ahead the last technical issues can be ironed out.

“I am appreciative of the efforts made by Angus Robertson MP and Scottish Ministers who pushed for these changes. They will make a real difference to Service families in Scotland.”