PM PUSHED ON NIMROD FAMILY COMPENSATION.

PM PUSHED ON NIMROD FAMILY COMPENSATION.

The Prime Minister has been pushed to resolve unsettled compensation payments for the families of 14 service personnel killed when RAF Nimrod XV230 exploded in Afghanistan more than three years ago.

Angus Robertson, the MP for Moray, whose constituency is home to the Nimrod fleet at Kinloss, raised the issue during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons. Last week an independent review published a hard-hitting and highly critical report into the tragedy in September 2006.

Mr Robertson, leader of the SNP at Westminster and party Defence spokesperson, said:

“The widows, partners and families of the service personnel who died aboard Nimrod XV230 have repeatedly said that compensation cannot replace the loss of their loved ones. Never the less it is a sad fact that these families have waited three years are still waiting for the completion of compensation arrangements.

”I welcome the Prime Minister’s assurances to me today and hope that he and the Ministry of Defence live up to their undertakings.”

A transcript of Mr Robertson’s exchange with the prime minister is set out below:

Angus Robertson MP: “After 14 service personnel died aboard Nimrod XV230 the Ministry of Defence accepted responsibility and said that compensation would be expedited. Three years on compensation has not been resolved. Don’t these service families deserve better?”

Prime Minister: “We have just had the final report and the Government and all those responsible for the mistakes that were made in Nimrod have apologised. I will look exactly at the point he has raised now that the report has finalised the issues surround Nimrod and I will write to him.”