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Boss of defence firm blamed in Nimrod disaster report quits
Ross Lydall29 Oct 2009
THE chief executive of a defence firm blamed for the RAF Nimrod explosion that cost 14 servicemen's lives is to quit.
Defence contractor QinetiQ was yesterday named as being "fundamentally lax and compliant" in allowing the spy plane to return to the skies after flawed safety checks.
It exploded in mid-air over Afghanistan in 2006, causing the biggest single loss of military lives since the Falklands War, after leaking fuel came into contact with hot pipes.
Today QinetiQ announced that its £500,000-a-year chief executive, Graham Love, would stand down on 30 November after eight years at the former government agency.
Two of its employees, Martyn Mahy and Colin Blagrove, were among 10 people singled out for blame in yesterday's report by Charles Haddon-Cave QC into the causes of the explosion.
QinetiQ was appointed as an independent safety adviser to another Ministry of Defence contractor, BAE Systems, but the report said it was little more than a "rubber stamp or cipher" because of its willingness to win more contracts from BAE.
A QinetiQ spokesman said Mr Love's departure was not linked to the report. He said the firm was "seeking to learn lessons" and was studying the report before deciding whether to take action against staff.
Reader views (5)
All those named should be fired without any severance or reward. As a country, we owe nothing less to the memeory and families of those who perished in this wholly avoidable calamity.
Instead we'll get the usual platitudes about "lessons learned" and "moving on" while those responsible in MoD are shuffle sideways to await the customary gong and gold-plated pension.
What a shameful disgrace this country has become.
- John C, Leatherhead, UK, 29/10/2009 17:50
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Tony Blair & Gordon Brown (as PM & Chancellor) were directly responsi ble for the death of these 14 people. Politicians seem to think that it's enough to say "Nothing I can do or say will bring these fine men back" - and therefore I'm not going to do anything. What they don't seem to understand is that MORALLY they ARE responsible, and if they had a shred of decency about them they would resign, not just from office (in Brown's case) but from ALL public life. So much for gordon Brown's "moral compass/son of the manse" claim's. Don't hold your breath anyone!!!!
- Malcolm, London, 29/10/2009 14:49
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The resignations should start with G. Brown, who as Chancellor, and later as PM ensured there were insufficent funds to finance the operations in Iraq and Afganistan. Ainsworth, I feel a little sorry for - he was never up to the job and did not have the support of the rest of the Cabinet.
Labour have always seen the armed forces as a bastion of Tory ideals and treated it as such - and as a result many men and women have been needlessly killed.
Tony Balir and Gordon Brown I hope neither of you sleep at night.
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties, 29/10/2009 11:30
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Ministers have to start acknowledging that they are too subservient to politicians. The interest of the end users is secondary. We have the same pressures put on the police and education leading to poor performance and a degrading of standards. Where are the strong people? Is the country destined to sink in the mire while ministers swan off to greener pastures?
- Paul, Stevenage, 29/10/2009 10:53
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The grief and distress felt by the families of the 14 men killed is fully justified. Saying sorry is not sufficient, neither are the resignations of the men at the top who were responsible. I think military Court Marshals should be the order of the day.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 29/10/2009 10:10
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