Fish deaths probe was halted over ‘edited highlights’ claim which led to Sheriff Paul Crozier threatening the government agency with a retrieval warrant if they did not provide the “vital” information. The inquiry has heard at Fort William Sheriff Court, where details such as timings, wording and responses surrounding the controversial search and rescue operation were disputed.
The phone records called for by the sheriff are in relation to the handing over of co-ordination responsibility for the search and rescue operation from Clyde Coastguard to Stornoway Coastguard. Sheriff Crozier demanded to know why the information was not provided to him at the outset.Procurator fiscal Alison Wylie told the sheriff: “What I have provided is everything the MCA has given me.
Later, Sheriff Crozier adjourned the inquiry until April 19, and said that they need to have this information to proceed. This information is vital to clarify matters which have been disputed during this inquiry. It seems that these recordings are in the possession of the MCA or possibly the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch). I could grant a warrant to retrieve these, but I will give those round the table the opportunity to have formal discussion to see to it that there is an undertaking to produce the items.
MCA spokesman later said that the edited transcripts have all the conversations relating to the Aquila. They haven’t knowingly witheld any information from the FAI and will now be double-checking.
