Relatives of a number of the 14 British military personnel killed when a Royal Air Force Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft exploded over Afghanistan two years ago are to launch legal action against the Ministry of Defence, it emerged on June 27th.

In May 2007, coroner Andrew Walker said that the RAF's Nimrod fleet had never been airworthy, and should not be allowed to fly again.

A spokesperson for the MoD said that the families of those killed would receive compensation, adding that any additional legal claims would be looked at upon submission.

The new legal action is spearheaded by Graham Knight - the father of Ben Knight, who was killed in the 2006 Nimrod explosion.

Nimrod Fuel Leak

The incident was ultimately attributed to a fuel leak that occurred after the Nimrod in question had taken fuel on board.

Nimrods, however, remain part of the British military's contribution to operations in Afghanistan.

David Orchard, the legal figure involved in the action, said that the case would be founded in the Human Rights Act's Article 2.

"The thrust is that they were sent into the theatre of war ill-equipped", he explained.

Compensation, he added, was not in the relative's sights, but a ruling was.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Knight stated: "Fourteen men died on that plane and apart from apologies nothing has really been done about it and although the planes have been deemed un-airworthy, they're still flying."

"Had it been a bus company and it had been an un-roadworthy bus, legal action would have been taken against the bus company. I feel that something needs to be done as nobody has been brought to task."

Mid-Air Refuelling Suspension

Ministers are adamant that the Nimrods are safe to be flown in light of a suspension on mid-air refuelling, together with other modifications.

A spokesperson for the MoD commented: "The Secretary of State has directed that compensation will be paid, and claims will be handled quickly and amicably.

"We are currently awaiting detailed evaluations of the claims from the families' solicitors.

"Once these are received, we will deal with the claims as quickly as possible. Any further legal claims will be reviewed as and when they are submitted."

British Servicemen Killed

The 14 British servicemen that died in the Nimrod were:

• Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson
• Flight Lieutenant Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore
• Flight Lieutenant Gareth Rodney Nicholas
• Flight Lieutenant Allan James Squires
• Flight Lieutenant Steven Swarbrick.
• Flight Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews
• Flight Sergeant Stephen Beattie
• Flight Sergeant Gerard Martin Bell
• Flight Sergeant Adrian Davies
• Sergeant Benjamin James Knight
• Sergeant John Joseph Langton
• Sergeant Gary Paul Quilliam
• Lance Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts
• Royal Marine Joseph David Windall

As ever, Armed Forces International will provide coverage of the very latest developments in this case as we get the facts.

Source - Armed Forces International's Political Correspondent

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