prime minister asked to explain why private the plane was allowed to leave the UK for Russia after the imposition of a flight ban.
Boris Johnson was interviewed during the prime minister’s questions about private charter flight from Inverness Airport to Moscow, which took place one day after the entry into force of the Russian flight ban force.
This was stated by SNP MP Richard Thomson. in Commons: “Transcripts of air traffic controllers released this week showed that despite being briefed of scheduled flight, no attempt was made made UK government or its agencies to prevent the plane from taking off off.
“Will it prime minister commit informing house at the first opportunity: who traveled on this flight; why, despite being informed in promote of flight, there was no attempt made United Kingdom government keep the plane on Earth; and that will be prime minister personally do to try to prevent any such violations of sanctions so that it doesn’t happen in in future?”
A Learjet 60 operated by Panaviatic took off from Inverness. on February 26 to Moscow Vnukovo airport.
Exactly who was on board flight remains mystery.
Questions to prime minister follow letter from SNP MPs to UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps demanding clarification in who cleared the flight despite notice of Air missions (NOTAM) aimed at preventing overflights of kind.
Drew Hendry MP for SNP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey highlighted reports in newspaper “Press and Journal” of memo confirming UK government OK of flight and apparent conflict with transport secretary inverness airport charge of “non-compliance” with NOTAM rules.
Mr Hendry said: “UK transport secretary should first apologize for scapegoats at Inverness airport and set in record directly that it was his department that authorized the flight.
“Then he must answer pressing questions over why was this flight allowed to take off and who and what was on This is.
“These are important questions after the raft of reports showing how a lot of Russian money digging into the Tory treasury.”
(LR) Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Mr Johnson pictured together on Tuesday
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Highland and Islands Airports Ltd, Operator of Inverness Airport said it acted in conformity with regulations.
It said: “We carried out instructions received from the authorities at the time to the letter. Our actions were correct and appropriate, and this was taken into account out through expertise of in record.”
Department for A spokesman for transportation said, “It’s completely wrong to demand transportation secretary authorized this particular flight. Inverness Airport did not contact the department for Transportation before the flight left.
“Published by NOTAM on February 25 NATS on on behalf of of United Kingdom government informing all stakeholders in aviation. it’s a responsibility of all operators including Inverness Airport, up to ensure they monitor NOTAM and comply with restrictions”.
