Safety scare over Nimrod fuel leaks

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The Ministry of Defence has admitted there were 25 fuel leaks - the equivalent of one a week - on the aircraft in the six months since 14 men died when a Nimrod suffered a catastrophic fire and crashed in Afghanistan.

Officials insist the problems with the ageing aircraft, which provide reconnaissance for troops fighting the Taliban and insurgents in Iraq, do not threaten the lives of their crews.

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FEARS: Fuel leaks still plague ageing Nimrods

The fleet was due to have been replaced in 2003 and the remaining 15 aircraft were grounded last September for safety checks after the crash near Kandahar that killed all on board.

Last week, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said that between October 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007 there were 25 fuel leaks reported on Nimrod MR2 and R1 aircraft. He said: "A fuel leak is defined as any leakage of fuel from aircraft couplings, pipes or fuel tanks.

"These did not compromise the safety of the aircraft and were rectified under normal maintenance procedures."

But Tory MP Sir Nicholas Winterton said: "This raises serious concerns about the safety of this aircraft. There are obvious questions over whether these fuel leaks are connected to the tragedy in Afghanistan last year."

Initial reports into the Kandahar crash suggested the Nimrod had burst into flames after a mid-air refuelling operation. The Nimrod MR2 was not thought to have been hit by enemy fire.