The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has responded to the publication of a report by leading aviation lawyer Charles Haddon-Cave QC into the fatal Nimrod MR2 XV230 air crash over Afghanistan in 2006

A total of 14 RAF personnel lost their lives in the crash, which occurred as the Nimrod was refuelling mid-air.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth issued a statement in response to the report, apologising for the mistakes that were made in safety checks on the Nimrod – and offering his condolences to the families concerned.

The MoD is due to issue a full written response to the report before the end of the year.

Mr Ainsworth said he welcomed Mr Haddon-Cave’s report and that ‘key areas’ had been identified where the MoD had failed in its duties.

‘Mr Haddon-Cave has acknowledged that considerable work has been done since this tragic incident to increase the safety of Nimrod MR2, such as ceasing air-to-air refuelling and operating an enhanced systems inspection regime.

‘Based on the steps we have taken – and the personal assurances of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton – I am certain the Nimrod remains safe to fly, and I am pleased Mr Haddon-Cave shares this view.’

Mr Ainsworth said the MoD would not be ‘complacent’ regarding safety issues, however – believing that issues raised in the report ‘stretch more widely across Defence’.

‘Safety issues and improving our learning from incidents have been given the highest priority in the MoD,’ said Mr Ainsworth.

‘We have looked carefully at our processes for assuring the airworthiness of our aircraft and have appointed Air Marshall Kevin Leeson to a new post of Defence Chief Airworthiness Engineer, to provide better assurance that our entire airworthiness process – from project teams to the frontline – meets the highest standard.’

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