The government is facing mounting pressure to launch a full independent inquiry into the Air India crash that killed 158 people, as survivors’ families accuse Whitehall of negligence.
A leaked internal memo from the Foreign Office reveals that officials repeatedly failed to respond to requests for support from the bereaved. One relative told the Guardian: “We don’t look at the sky any more. The state has abandoned us.”
The crash, which occurred off the coast of Ireland in June 2020, saw the Boeing 777 plunge into the Atlantic after a suspected engine failure. Despite the UK’s obligations under international aviation law, the government has so far resisted calls for a public inquiry, citing the ongoing investigation by the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit.
But diplomatic sources say the real reason is political. A senior Foreign Office source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “There are fears that a UK inquiry would embarrass the Indian government, given that the flight originated in Delhi and many victims were Indian nationals. No 10 wants to avoid a diplomatic row with Modi’s administration.”
That calculation has infuriated campaigners. Ravi Kapoor, whose wife died in the crash, told me: “They are treating us as collateral damage. The British government has a duty to investigate, not to pander to India.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said today: “We have full confidence in the Irish investigation. But we are keeping the situation under review.”
This is not enough for the opposition. Labour’s shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh, has written to the Transport Secretary demanding a statutory inquiry. “The families deserve answers,” she said. “This is a matter of basic justice.”
Behind the scenes, the mood is shifting. I am told that several senior Tory backbenchers are considering tabling an amendment to the Aviation Safety Bill to compel a public inquiry. “If the government won’t act, Parliament will,” one told me.
The numbers are tight. A rebellion of just 15 Conservative MPs could force a vote. And with the government’s majority paper-thin, No 10 is nervous. “They are counting heads,” a whips’ office source said. “But it’s not looking good for them.”
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has announced a review of its consular services for families of air disaster victims. But critics say this is too little, too late. “They are trying to kick the can down the road,” said Kapoor. “We won't let that happen.”
The story is developing. The question is: will Downing Street blink, or will they face an embarrassing defeat in the Commons?
