This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7125332.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Questions ahead of Nimrod report Worker reveals 'Nimrod problems'
(about 2 hours later)
Safety concerns have been raised ahead of the publication of a report into a Nimrod crash in Afghanistan which killed 14 military personnel last year. A worker at RAF Kinloss has revealed that technical faults still happen regularly on the Nimrod fleet, BBC Scotland has learned.
Westminster SNP group leader Angus Robertson MP said a number of questions remained over Nimrod safety. The news comes ahead of the publication of a report into a Nimrod crash in Afghanistan which killed 14 military personnel last year.
An insider at Kinloss said that fuel leaks among the fleet were "perpetual".
The Ministry of Defence declined to comment ahead of the Board of Inquiry findings on Tuesday.
The BBC has learned that the aircraft which crashed in Afghanistan was being worked hard and flying sometimes twice a day.
It also had seven fuel leaks on board which were not due to be fixed for several months.
NIMROD CRASH VICTIMS Flt Lt Allan Squires, 39, from Clatterbridge, MerseysideFlt Lt Steven Johnson, 38, from Collingham, NottinghamshireFlt Lt Gareth Nicholas, 40, from Redruth, CornwallFlt Lt Steven Swarbrick, 28, from LiverpoolFlt Lt Leigh Mitchelmore, 28, from Bournemouth, DorsetFlt Sgt Adrian Davies, 49, from Amersham, BuckinghamshireFlt Sgt Gary Wayne Andrews, 48, from Tankerton, KentFlt Sgt Gerard Bell, 48, from Newport, ShropshireFlt Sgt Stephen Beattie, 42, from DundeeSgt Gary Paul Quilliam, 42, from ManchesterSgt Ben Knight, 25, from BridgewaterSgt John Langton, 29, from LiverpoolMarine Joseph Windall, 22 from Hazlemere L/Cpl Oliver Dicketts, from Wadhurst
The news comes after Westminster SNP group leader Angus Robertson MP said a number of questions remained over Nimrod safety.
He said doubts over issues such as fire extinguishers and fuel tank protection had never been addressed.He said doubts over issues such as fire extinguishers and fuel tank protection had never been addressed.
Board of Inquiry findings into the crash of the Kinloss-based Nimrod are due on Tuesday.Board of Inquiry findings into the crash of the Kinloss-based Nimrod are due on Tuesday.
Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency is home to the Nimrod fleet at RAF Kinloss, has written to Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne.Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency is home to the Nimrod fleet at RAF Kinloss, has written to Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne.
Twelve RAF personnel and two other servicemen were killed on 2 September, 2006 when their Nimrod, call sign XV230, exploded shortly after mid-air refuelling.Twelve RAF personnel and two other servicemen were killed on 2 September, 2006 when their Nimrod, call sign XV230, exploded shortly after mid-air refuelling.
The MoD has to restore confidence in the wake of the tragedy and a series of safety incidents Angus Robertson MP
Mr Robertson said: "Everybody hopes that the inquiry will answer all of the relevant questions about the Nimrod which crashed in Afghanistan and help avoid a repeat of the tragedy.Mr Robertson said: "Everybody hopes that the inquiry will answer all of the relevant questions about the Nimrod which crashed in Afghanistan and help avoid a repeat of the tragedy.
"There are, however, a host of unanswered questions about the safety of the ageing Nimrod fleet as a whole which the Ministry of Defence must answer."There are, however, a host of unanswered questions about the safety of the ageing Nimrod fleet as a whole which the Ministry of Defence must answer.
"The MoD has to restore confidence in the wake of the tragedy and a series of safety incidents."The MoD has to restore confidence in the wake of the tragedy and a series of safety incidents.
"I have sent Secretary of State Des Browne 15 key questions about Nimrod safety which must be answered if confidence is to be restored.""I have sent Secretary of State Des Browne 15 key questions about Nimrod safety which must be answered if confidence is to be restored."