Hi Mr Purdey,
welcome back. I hope that your travels were enjoyable.
One would assume that the Prime Minister would not make any public comments without first speaking to his advisors who, in turn, would probably have been briefed by the CAS or his team. I seem to recall that subsequently, Sir John Major has stated that had he known then, what he knows now, he would not have accepted the MoD's position.
The CAS did, indeed, take a close interest in this tragic case, so much so, that he made a non-too complimentary comment in a letter to a former colleague. The 'interest' as you put it, from those right at the top of the food chain clearly indicates the pressure the President of the Board of Inquiry must have been placed under. Mr Pulford is one of the few people who can hold his head up high, as he had the courage to both stick to his guns and stick to the facts.
What a pity that those entitled only to express an opinion could not do the same.
Hopefully the not-so-new Defence Secretary is getting up to speed with the case and will make a decision soon.
My best, as always.
Brian
"Justice has no expiry date" - John Cook