Speaking as one who had a bit of a serious "up and downer" with the said Mr McDermid of the AAIB, I am of the view that the organisation has lost it's way.
I spoke to Mr McDermid's senior a few days later and expressed my concern over the apparent lack of impartiality shown. The response I received was luke warm and reflected an apparent lack of interest in only reporting the hard facts relating to the case in question.
Whether the resultant bias is due to deliberate managment intervention, poor direction or by a lack of interest by the staff I do not know. I do feel very uncomfortable about such a well-respected organisation squandering it's hard won reputation in this way though.
VP