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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Soldier inquest plans published | Soldier inquest plans published |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Proposals that would allow fatal accident inquiries into dead military personnel to take place in Scotland have been published by UK ministers. | Proposals that would allow fatal accident inquiries into dead military personnel to take place in Scotland have been published by UK ministers. |
| At present only a coroner in England can hold an inquest into such deaths. | At present only a coroner in England can hold an inquest into such deaths. |
| This has resulted in lengthy waits and long journeys for the relatives of Scottish soldiers. | This has resulted in lengthy waits and long journeys for the relatives of Scottish soldiers. |
| Amendments will now be inserted into the Coroners Bill going through the UK parliament, and Holyrood will also change the fatal accident inquiry laws. | Amendments will now be inserted into the Coroners Bill going through the UK parliament, and Holyrood will also change the fatal accident inquiry laws. |
| It is hoped the legal process will be completed by the end of the year. | It is hoped the legal process will be completed by the end of the year. |
| It was crazy that service families in Scotland have had to travel so far and at great cost to inquiries in the south of England Angus Robertson MP | |
| Currently, Fatal Accident Inquiries FAI in Scotland do not allow them to be held in relation to deaths outside Scotland. | Currently, Fatal Accident Inquiries FAI in Scotland do not allow them to be held in relation to deaths outside Scotland. |
| The new laws would allow Scottish families of service personnel who die abroad to attend hearings as close to home as possible. | The new laws would allow Scottish families of service personnel who die abroad to attend hearings as close to home as possible. |
| UK Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said: "We have listened to service families in Scotland and have responded with these amendments which will allow the coroner systems in England and Wales and the Fatal Accident Inquiry system in Scotland, to be more responsive to families' circumstances. | |
| "These changes will mean that, in most cases, the next of kin will no longer have to travel to England for inquests. | |
| "It is important that we make bereaved service families our top priority during what is an extremely difficult time, and try to do everything in our power that will remove or reduce any unnecessary distress involved." | |
| SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP, whose constituency includes RAF Kinloss in Moray, said he was "delighted" that talks between the Scottish and UK governments had secured a way forward. | SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP, whose constituency includes RAF Kinloss in Moray, said he was "delighted" that talks between the Scottish and UK governments had secured a way forward. |
| 'Positive issue' | |
| He added: "This issue has always been about family members who deserve the best support and assistance after the deaths of a loved one. It was crazy that service families in Scotland have had to travel so far and at great cost to inquiries in the south of England. | He added: "This issue has always been about family members who deserve the best support and assistance after the deaths of a loved one. It was crazy that service families in Scotland have had to travel so far and at great cost to inquiries in the south of England. |
| "Our aim was always to minimise the distress caused to bereaved families of service personnel killed overseas in service. | "Our aim was always to minimise the distress caused to bereaved families of service personnel killed overseas in service. |
| "These amendments to the coroners system will make real difference for service families in Scotland." | "These amendments to the coroners system will make real difference for service families in Scotland." |
| Mr Robertson had campaigned for the change since 14 personnel were killed when an RAF Nimrod, which had been based at RAF Kinloss, crashed in Afghanistan in 2006. | Mr Robertson had campaigned for the change since 14 personnel were killed when an RAF Nimrod, which had been based at RAF Kinloss, crashed in Afghanistan in 2006. |
| Although ten of the fourteen service personnel killed aboard the aircraft were based in RAF Kinloss in Moray, which Mr Robertson represents, the inquest into the fatal crash took place in Oxfordshire. | Although ten of the fourteen service personnel killed aboard the aircraft were based in RAF Kinloss in Moray, which Mr Robertson represents, the inquest into the fatal crash took place in Oxfordshire. |
| Shona Beattie, whose husband, Flight Sergeant Stephen Beattie, was one of those who died in the crash, welcomed the proposed change in the law. | |
| Mrs Beattie, from Kinloss, said: "I am really pleased that this has come about and there has been a change in the law. | |
| "I'm also pleased that other families will benefit from this. It's one positive issue that has come out of a tragic event." |