Clutha owner slams police over renewal of helicopter contract
![Alan Crossan thinks Police Scotland were wrong for renewing the contract with Bond Air Services Picture: Robert Perry](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_44384299.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Alan Crossan thinks Police Scotland were wrong for renewing the contract with Bond Air Services Picture: Robert Perry](/img/placeholder.png)
Alan Crossan believes that Police Scotland had no right renewing the contract with Bond Air Services - the firm which owned the helicopter which crashed into the pub in Glasgow killing 10 people - while the victims were still waiting on compensation claims being settled.
Police Scotland have finalised a new seven year deal worth £17.9 million, which includes a cockpit voice and flight data recorder, in line with recommendations following the tragedy.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHowever, Mr Crossan spoke out after the announcement, saying: “You would have thought that rather than renewing the contract they should finalise everything and then move on.
![Alan Crossan owner of the Clutha Bar, Glasgow outside the pub by the Broomielaw.
Picture: Robert Perry](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_44384298.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Alan Crossan owner of the Clutha Bar, Glasgow outside the pub by the Broomielaw.
Picture: Robert Perry](/img/placeholder.png)
“To renew the contract when there are still people waiting to be compensated seems a bit wrong.
“The police should have waited until everyone has been compensated and the FAI has been held.”
The new aircraft will have a black box recorded, as well as further safety features including a recording system to video flight systems and instruments within the cockpit, a terrain awareness and warning system, and an emergency locator transmitter, unlike the helicopter that crashed into the pub on November 19, 2013.
The contract was awarded to the firm following a competitive tendering process.
![Alan Crossan owner of the Clutha Bar, Glasgow outside the pub by the Broomielaw.
Picture: Robert Perry](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_44384298.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Alan Crossan owner of the Clutha Bar, Glasgow outside the pub by the Broomielaw.
Picture: Robert Perry](/img/placeholder.png)
Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “As the current helicopter contract comes to an end in September 2016, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority needed to go through a procurement process.
“Whilst there was interest from other companies, Bond Air Services was the sole tender.”