Families Welcome PM Meeting as 'Significant and Long Overdue'
Families of those who died in a Chinook helicopter crash in Scotland over 30 years ago have expressed their approval of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's decision to meet with them. They described this development as a "significant and long overdue step" toward achieving truth and accountability regarding the tragedy.
The crash occurred in June 1994 when a Chinook helicopter, transporting senior security personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness, went down. The disaster resulted in the deaths of four crew members and 25 passengers.
Jenni Balmer-Hornby, whose father was among those killed, stated their hope that this meeting "marks the beginning of a meaningful process to finally deliver truth, transparency and accountability for the families."
For many years, the pilots were wrongly held responsible for the crash before being officially cleared in 2011. Families have persistently campaigned for the full disclosure of all documents related to the incident and have called for a judge-led public inquiry, a request the prime minister has so far declined.
'Break the Long-Standing Impasse'
Liberal Democrat MP Tessa Munt raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, urging direct engagement between the prime minister and the families affected.
The Chinook Justice Campaign noted that Starmer's response represents the first opportunity in a generation for families to present their case directly to the nation's highest political leader.
Balmer-Hornby commented:
"After more than three decades of unanswered questions, the prime minister's agreement to meet is a significant and welcome step."
She added that the campaign now hopes the prime minister's involvement will "break the long-standing impasse, and lead to a clear timetable for the release of information and consideration of a full independent inquiry."
