'Devastating' MoD Nimrod ruling

Flowers were laid at RAF Kinloss after the tragedy

The MP for the Moray constituency which was home to the doomed RAF Kinloss Nimrod said a call for the fleet to be grounded was a "devastating verdict".

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson was speaking after coroner Andrew Walker said the fleet had "never been airworthy".

Twelve of the 14 personnel killed in Afghanistan were based at Kinloss.

Mr Robertson said: "My thoughts are with the families of the brave servicemen who died."

He added: "This is a devastating verdict for the Ministry of Defence, and somebody must take personal responsibility.

"The MoD now has extremely grave and immediate questions to answer. Not only questions relating to the run-up to the tragedy, but also why not all safety recommendations have been fully completed on the fleet since.

"There must be no repeat of this tragedy. The MoD has to restore confidence in the wake of this verdict."

'Very hurt'

Moray councillor for Forres, Jeff Hamilton, told the BBC Scotland news website: "I know quite a number of the relatives and they will be very hurt and shocked.

"If this accident could have been prevented, that's pretty devastating for the families."

He added: "I do not believe the RAF or MoD would knowingly fly unsafe aircraft."

Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth said the Chief of Air Staff Sir Glenn Torpy had "reaffirmed" the Nimrod was airworthy and that all the issues raised by the crash were being dealt with.

Mr Ainsworth said: "The Nimrod is saving lives in operational theatres every day. However, if it was not safe we would not be flying it; it is safe with the measures we have taken and that is why we will not be grounding the fleet."

He added: "On behalf of the MoD and the Royal Air Force, I would like to apologise again to the families of those who died for our failings, which led to this tragic incident."

'Miss you'

The quiet, close-knit coastal town of Kinloss had awoken to the news of the tragedy in September 2006.

Local people who had not heard the news on the Saturday night were faced with Sunday newspaper billboard headlines outside shops relaying news of the tragedy.

Flowers were soon lying at the foot of the RAF Kinloss entrance sign, a poignant mark of respect to the crew members who had been lost.

Also outside the base perimeter, cards with the message "miss you all" were placed next to flowers and candles.

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