politics
Families of 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook Crash Victims Complain to MoD Over Personal Data Disclosed in FOI Request
The families of the 29 victims who died in the 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook disaster have lodged a formal complaint against the Ministry of Defence after sensitive personal data was disclosed through a freedom of information request. The Chinook Justice Campaign is demanding the MoD refer itself to the Information Commissioner's Office and has called for an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister.
May 11, 4:35 AM·3m read1 source
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The families of the 29 victims who died in the 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook disaster have lodged a formal complaint against the Ministry of Defence after sensitive material containing private personal, financial and legal details concerning the families was disclosed to a media outlet through a freedom of information request.
The Chinook Justice Campaign is demanding the MoD refer itself to the Information Commissioner's Office. Legal representatives for the Chinook Justice Campaign have insisted that the documents be retracted immediately and that all recipients be informed that the personal data must not be published or shared further.
Mark Stephens, a human rights lawyer representing the families, described the disclosure as a serious failure to protect the rights of families who have been deceived and lied to from day one. He said it shows a callous disregard for their personal information, has added trauma to a three-decade-long fight for the truth, and raises fundamental questions about the department’s handling of sensitive material.
"The Ministry of Defence must urgently explain how and why it placed personal information about bereaved families into the public domain without proper safeguards or due process or any discussion with those families," Stephens said.
He added that the families are once again being subjected to further harm through the unlawful disclosure of their personal information at a time when the MoD claims it is engaged in dialogue with them. Stephens stated that is completely and utterly unacceptable and they deserve a full and frank apology and an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister, to which he has committed.
