No prosecutions brought against U.S. weapons flights

Last updated at 23:25 28 November 2006


Prosecutors said that no charges will be brought over US weapons flights which touched down at a Scottish airport.

Earlier this year, two chartered A310 Airbuses carrying bunker-busting bombs bound for Israel stopped off at Prestwick Airport, apparently without following proper procedure.

The revelation caused Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett to publicly voice her displeasure with the US authorities, stating it appeared that the proper procedures for the handling of "hazardous cargo" had not been adhered to.

The flights, which landed at Prestwick for refuelling, were destined for Israel and were carrying Guided Bomb Unit (GBU28) laser-guided weapons.

The use of the Scottish airport as a stopping-off point on the flights by US freight carrier Kalitta led to a protest by anti-war demonstrators at the airport in July.

The decision by the Crown Office not to take any action against Kalitta comes after it received a report from the Civil Aviation Authority.

A Crown Office spokesman said: "Following full and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances in this case, Crown counsel have instructed that no proceedings are to be taken."

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