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| Nimrod families take legal action | Nimrod families take legal action |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The families of some of the 14 servicemen killed when their RAF Nimrod plane exploded in Afghanistan in 2006 are to sue the Ministry of Defence. | The families of some of the 14 servicemen killed when their RAF Nimrod plane exploded in Afghanistan in 2006 are to sue the Ministry of Defence. |
| A coroner ruled last month the Nimrod fleet, based at RAF Kinloss, had never been airworthy and should be grounded. | |
| An MoD spokesperson said compensation would be paid to the relatives and any further legal claims would be dealt with when they were submitted. | |
| Ministers have insisted the planes are safe to fly after changes were made. | |
| Demands for legal action have been led by Graham Knight, whose son Ben was among those killed when the aircraft crashed in Afghanistan two years ago. | Demands for legal action have been led by Graham Knight, whose son Ben was among those killed when the aircraft crashed in Afghanistan two years ago. |
| The crash was blamed on a fuel leak following mid-air refuelling. | The crash was blamed on a fuel leak following mid-air refuelling. |
| But the aircraft are still flying and continue to operate in Afghanistan where the military sees them as crucial to the fight against the Taliban. | But the aircraft are still flying and continue to operate in Afghanistan where the military sees them as crucial to the fight against the Taliban. |
| The lawyer in charge of the action, David Orchard, said the basis of the case would be in relation to Article 2 of the Human Rights Act. | The lawyer in charge of the action, David Orchard, said the basis of the case would be in relation to Article 2 of the Human Rights Act. |
| He said: "The thrust is that they were sent into the theatre of war ill-equipped." | He said: "The thrust is that they were sent into the theatre of war ill-equipped." |
| Fourteen men died on that plane and apart from apologies nothing has really been done about it Graham Knight | Fourteen men died on that plane and apart from apologies nothing has really been done about it Graham Knight |
| Mr Orchard added that the families were not seeking compensation but a judgement. | Mr Orchard added that the families were not seeking compensation but a judgement. |
| Mr Knight told BBC Scotland: "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." | Mr Knight told BBC Scotland: "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." |
| He added: "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." | He added: "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." |
| Ministers insist the planes are safe now that mid-air refuelling is suspended and other changes have been made since the men died. | Ministers insist the planes are safe now that mid-air refuelling is suspended and other changes have been made since the men died. |
| An MoD spokesperson said: "The Secretary of State has directed that compensation will be paid, and claims will be handled quickly and amicably. | An MoD spokesperson said: "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. | "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." | "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." |