PRESS RELEASE

March 11th, 2009

Green light for pleural plaques claims

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has backed the latest round of calls for a public inquiry into the Flying Phantom tragedy.

Three men lost their lives when the tug went down in the River Clyde in December 2007 and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch later revealed a number of preventable factors in its report.

Scotland’s largest trade union, Unite, has contacted the Department of Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP, the Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy MP and the Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Parliament  Kenny MacAskill MSP to seek support for a public inquiry.

The union’s solicitors, Thompson’s, have also pursued the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on the findings of the report to no avail. 

Duncan McNeil MSP said: “I welcome this move to secure an inquiry into the Flying Phantom tragedy and share the frustration of the families in the delay in getting this started.

“After investigators raised a number of serious issues about this accident , I was able to gain the First Minister’s support for an inquiry last year when he responded to my question in the chamber.

“The families of these tragic crewmen deserve answers to their questions about what happened to the Flying Phantom that day.”

Unite’s Scottish Secretary John Quigley said: “Unite and our solicitors - on behalf of the bereaved families of our members - have been increasingly frustrated in our pursuit for justice. 

“The interests of our members’ families have taken second place to a game of inter-government departmental ping-pong. 

“At the same time, no action has been taken on the recommendations of the MAIB report which leads us to believe that the River Clyde remains unsafe and only serves to highlight the need for a Public Inquiry.

“Unite will not let this matter go and it is time for someone to take responsibility.

“Our members go to work to provide for themselves and their families and not to suffer injury or death.” 

ENDS