Well said, Mr Smith.
If the only way of putting pressure on the Government and MOD is via the media, then so be it and more power to their elbow. The Government/MOD spin machine can only be countered by the media - how else is the true voice of the the situation to be aired? Apart from General Dannat, who from the MOD has publicly put pressure on Downing St? CAS? Weasel words.
Sadly, the ethos of cowtowing (sp?) to the politicians seems to be so endemic and so embedded even down to Group and Station level that the leaking of an Incident Report becomes a vital tool in an effort to prevent further unnecessary loss of life.
When the crew of an aircraft find it necessary to take special action during what should be a routine procedure in order to safeguard their own lives, then we should salute their bravery and dedication to duty whilst vigorously castigating via all possible means those cowards who knowingly put them in such a position.
LL