Compensation over Nimrod crash that killed Shropshire man in Afghanistan

A multi-million pound compensation deal has been agreed with the family of a Shropshire man and those of 13 other former crewmen who died when their Nimrod aircraft exploded over Afghanistan, it was revealed today.

The Ministry of Defence has declined to reveal the exact total figure, although it is understood to be in the region of £15 million.

John Cooper, lawyer acting for all the families, including that of 48-year-old Flight Sergeant Gerard Bell, who had previously lived in Brookside, Telford, made a claim for compensation after a scathing review found the tragedy in 2006 had been preventable.

The review accused the MoD of sacrificing safety to cut costs. Mr Bell and his widow Fiona were ex-pupils of the Blessed Robert Johnson School in Wellington. Mrs Bell was today unavailable for comment.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The MoD passes on its sincere condolences to the families of those killed in the Nimrod accident and can confirm that compensation has been paid which will help ensure their future financial security.

"When compensation claims are submitted, they are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so."

The actions were raised by the widows and girlfriends of Flight Sergeants Bell, Gary Andrews, 48, Stephen Beattie, 42, and Adrian Davies, 49, as well as those of Flight Lieutenants Leigh Mitchelmore, 28, Gareth Nicholas, 40, Allan Squires, 39, and Steven Swarbrick, 28.

The partners of Sergeants Ben Knight, 25, John Langton, 29, and Gary Quilliam, 42, lodged similar actions, as did the father of Royal Marine Joseph Windall, 22.

A spokesman for law firm Balfour and Manson, which represented 12 of the families, said: "Monetary compensation can never replace a loved one whose life has been cruelly cut short. However, it provides some financial security."

Most of the crew were based at RAF Kinloss in Moray, Scotland.

The Nimrod exploded moments after mid-air refuelling when a fire broke out on the plane. It blew apart as the crew - which also included pilot Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson, 38, and Lance Corporal Oliver Dicketts, 27, of the Parachute Regiment - tried to make an emergency descent.

An inquest in 2008 saw coroner Andrew Walker conclude the aircraft was not airworthy. A subsequent independent review by aviation law barrister Charles Haddon-Cave, published last year, was critical of both the MoD and its industrial partners.

By Simon Hardy