Family condemns Nimrod flypasts

There are plans for flypasts over Aberdeen and Elgin

Plans for a Nimrod aircraft to take part in flypasts over Aberdeen and Elgin have been condemned by the father of a dead serviceman.

Graham Knight's son Ben was one of 14 servicemen killed when one of the RAF Kinloss aircraft exploded in mid-air over Afghanistan in 2006.

A month ago a coroner ruled that the Nimrod fleet has never been airworthy and should be grounded.

The Ministry of Defence has insisted that the aircraft is safe.

Last Saturday a Nimrod took part in a flypast over Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen's official birthday celebrations.

Relatives were unhappy that it was allowed to fly just 1,500 feet over the most populated part of the country.

Whilst we respect the different opinion others may have, the Moray Council has every confidence in the assurances given by the MoD over the aircraft's safety Moray Council spokesman

Next weekend a Nimrod will take part in a flypast over Aberdeen and Elgin as part of Veterans Day celebrations.

Mr Knight has branded the move "crass and insensitive".

An RAF spokeswoman insisted the aircraft was safe due to the measures taken since the loss of the Nimrod in Afghanistan.

She added: "If we did not think it was safe we would not fly it."

Moray Council said the flight still had to be confirmed.

A spokesman said:"From their base in Kinloss, Nimrods fly over many parts of Moray as part of their daily training routine so this will not be anything new to most people in Elgin that day.

"Whilst we respect the different opinion others may have, the Moray Council has every confidence in the assurances given by the MoD over the aircraft's safety."