Transport and offshore union RMT today issued a fresh call for First Minister Alex Salmond to take immediate and decisive action to establish a public inquiry into helicopter safety and a series of wider, associated issues relating to safety in the North Sea offshore industry.

RMT has written to the First Minister and is awaiting a response to the call for a public inquiry, a call that is rapidly gathering public and political support.

RMT has made it clear in the letter that it is deeply concerned that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, has appeared to claim in recent comments that a public inquiry would be too expensive.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“In light of recent events, including the helicopter tragedies both offshore and onshore, and the grounding of helicopters in many areas of the country, the case for a full public inquiry dealing with helicopter safety and the associated safety issues in the North Sea field, is overwhelming.

“Cost should not be a barrier to establishing the full facts and assisting us in developing a safety regime that takes us forward in an atmosphere of trust and co-operation where the safety of both the workforce and members of the public is absolutely paramount.

“RMT would urge First Minister Alex Salmond to take account of all of the issues raised by RMT in our letter to him and to pledge his full support for the public inquiry call. He has the power to make this happen. He should use it.”