PRESS RELEASE

October 2nd, 2008

From the office of DUNCAN MCNEIL, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde

MSP calls for public inquiry in Flying Phantom tragedy

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is wants a public inquiry into the tugboat drowning that claimed the lives of three men, including two of his constituents.

Stephen Humphreys and Eric Blackley, died along with a third man, Robert Cameron, on the River Clyde on December 19 last year.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch report raised many issues for the families which will require resolving.

In Parliament, Mr McNeil called on the First Minister to start a public inquiry into the disaster.

At First Minister’s Questions, Alex Salmond offered his sympathy to those involved but insisted it was a matter for the law officers in the first instance whether it would be taken to an inquiry.

Duncan McNeil, said: “Just six days before Christmas, this was a devastating tragedy for the families of the crewmen and had a deep impact on the wider community.

“The report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch raises some serious issues about this tragic accident that need to be addressed.

“There are a number of difficulties in bring forward a public inquiry because the issues arising are both devolved and reserved.

“But the Stockline inquiry has shown that a joint approach can be very successful in combating the constitutional problems.

“The important thing is that the families are given the chance to find out the truth about what happened to their loved ones.”

ENDS