Chinook families accuse MoD of ‘callous disregard’ over sensitive data release

The crash has remained one of the UK’s most controversial military disasters, with families and campaigners continuing to press for full disclosure of official documents and a judge-led public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Campaigners have long argued that important questions remain unanswered and have repeatedly challenged the MoD’s handling of evidence and records connected to the crash.

In recent months, the campaign has intensified efforts to secure further government review of the case, including meetings with ministers and calls for the proposed Hillsborough Law – intended to impose a legal duty of candour on public authorities – to be applied to the handling of the Chinook disaster.

According to the Chinook Justice Campaign, the latest controversy followed comments made in the House of Commons in November by veterans minister Louise Sandher-Jones, who reportedly stated that some documents connected to the crash, despite being sealed for 100 years, could still be released under FOI legislation.

The campaign said this prompted a request for documents by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which allegedly resulted in sensitive personal family information being disclosed.

The Chinook Justice Campaign said the disclosure appeared inconsistent with the MoD’s longstanding position that some crash-related records cannot be released because of personal data concerns.

Mark Stephens, a human rights lawyer from Howard Kennedy LLP acting for the families, said the alleged disclosure represented “a serious failure to protect the rights of families who have been deceived and lied to from day one”.

He said: “It shows a callous disregard for their personal information, has added trauma to a three-decade long fight for the truth and raises fundamental questions about the department’s handling of sensitive material.”

Mr Stephens said the families were demanding an urgent explanation from ministers and had called for the documents to be retracted and recipients notified that the information should not be further disclosed or published.

Chris Cook, whose brother Rick died in the crash, said: “For more than 30 years, our families have fought for truth and accountability. For 16 of those, we had to fight to clear Rick and Jon’s names.

“To now find that personal information has been exposed in this way is deeply distressing. It shows a complete lack of care for the families and the impact this crash and long fight for justice has had on all of us.”

Mr Cook also renewed calls for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to meet with families following recent parliamentary discussion of the case.

The campaign continues to call for a judge-led public inquiry into the disaster and claims further undisclosed material relating to the crash may still exist across government departments.

Responding to the allegations, a MoD spokesperson said: “The Chinook Justice Campaign has submitted a formal claim to the MoD for a judicial review of our decision to reject the demand for a judge-led inquiry into the circumstances of the crash.

“This process is ongoing and our focus is on responding to that claim and to the allegations contained within it.

“The MoD follows statutory obligations under the FOI Act, but we are reviewing this case again to ensure that all appropriate due diligence has been undertaken.”