Westminster is buzzing tonight, but not with the usual gossip over who will replace the PM. A different kind of crash is dominating the Lobby – the Air India disaster. And it’s getting ugly.
British air accident investigators have broken ranks, demanding a global overhaul of crash inquiry standards. Why? Because they claim the current process is being weaponised.
National pride, commercial interests, and diplomatic pressure are corrupting the search for truth. Whitehall sources tell me the AAIB is furious. They say the Indian investigation is being steered away from pilot error or maintenance failures.
Instead, whispers point to political interference. The BAE Systems angle? Too hot to touch.
The UK team wants independent oversight. They want binding UN rules. No more ‘he said, she said’ between countries.
This is a direct challenge to the established order. The Americans are watching. So are the French.
But the real question is who in Downing Street is backing this quietly. A senior MP told me 'this could blow up the special relationship if we’re not careful.' The mood is tense.
Expect a statement from Transport Secretary by morning. But don’t hold your breath for a full-throated endorsement. This is a game of leaks and backchannels.
And right now, the AAIB is playing hard.
