Tiarna
Your post has a very significant point:
<<... If there was an STF involved then such probing may inadvertantly force the injustice to be rectified now, least (sic, lest?) the MoD case be further unraveled. If the STF contributed to the crash then the MoD have an out now and would be wise to take it.>>
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Indeed perhaps they should go into “damage control” mode – this is an opportune time for them to minimise their problems and make most people happy – including me.
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If they went beyond acknowledging the STF and took the opportunity to disclose an exercise using it giving a full explanation of its planned execution (pls ignore the double entendre!) such that a reasonable man may be satisfied that there was no opportunity for foul play then the pilots get cleared, the MOD has a direction to follow (big review to improve airworthiness, safety issues in ad hoc exercises, etc) and conspiracy theories stop – we all get closure and move on.