Argus said:
I'm curious as to why the first BOI was aborted, and a GCM convened.
The rules in the UK are different. This change was brought in by the Armed Forces Act 2001:
38 In section 135 of the Air Force Act 1955 (c. 19) (boards of inquiry), for subsection (5) there is substituted-
"(5) Evidence given before a board of inquiry convened-
(a) under this section,
(b) under section 135 of the Army Act 1955, or
(c) under the Queen's Regulations for the Royal Navy,
shall not be admissible against any person in proceedings before a court-martial, commanding officer or appropriate superior authority, other than proceedings for an offence against section 70 of this Act where the corresponding civil offence is perjury."
If the RAF had waited for the BoI most of the prosecution evidence used in the GCM would have been inadmissable.