Angus MacNeil MP joined with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Iolaire Working Group and others in welcoming the announcement of the signing of a Statutory Instrument which will designate the Iolaire as a war grave from 2nd September.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said

‘ It is indeed good to hear that HMY Iolaire has finally been designated as a War Grave. It is more than a year since I raised this matter in Parliament and it was disappointing to receive a response from the MoD in November saying that while they were sympathetic to the idea no decisions would be made in time for the commemorative events in January 2019.

‘The commemorations were truly magnificent from the work done in schools to the refurbished memorial at Holm and the installation in the Harbour and provided a wonderful memorial to all those who died in this tragic event so close to home. Designation as an Official War Grave within this year is very fitting.’

Ends