Louisa Donaghy speaks to the BBC calling for action to protect military personnel affected by toxic fume exposure

Louisa Donaghy, Senior Associate in our Military Department, has been featured in a BBC news story highlighting the prolonged toxic fumes exposure affecting current and former UK military aircrew.

More than 180 veterans and serving personnel have come forward claiming that prolonged exposure to toxic fumes while flying or maintaining military helicopters has caused serious and, in many cases, terminal cancers. These claims involve aircraft such as the Sea King, Westland Wessex, Puma, and the CH-47 Chinook.

Louisa Donaghy, who represents the claimants, and has secured out-of-court settlements in six cases, told the BBC:

“I do feel that is just the tip of the iceberg. There will be people out there that don’t know they’ve got cancer and also that will be diagnosed in the future.”

“The people that I’m representing through no fault of their own have been exposed unnecessarily for long periods of time – and for thousands of flying hours – to these toxic fumes. These could have been prevented had the MoD given additional PPE such as filtration masks, which would have narrowed and lowered the levels of exposure.”

Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings

One of Louisa’s clients was Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer at age 33 and died earlier this year at just 47. Zach had proudly served in the RAF, even training the Prince of Wales on Sea King helicopters.

Louisa’s legal support helped Zach receive a settlement, though the MoD has not admitted liability. providing him with some comfort and dignity in his final months. His widow, Anna-Louise, has campaigned for greater transparency and accountability from the MoD.

The issue has caught the attention of Julie Morgan MS, Member of the Senedd for Cardiff North, who has called for the introduction of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a cancer screening programme for both veterans and serving aircrew.

Julie speaking on the issue:

“It’s really important to remember that there’s human beings at the end of this, there’s families at the end of this who are very anxious… and my constituent has died,” she told the BBC.

“The MoD should be as transparent as it possibly can be, and I urge the MoD to carry on their investigations as swiftly as they can because it’s owed to people.”

Julie Morgan’s advocacy includes a Senedd debate on the issue of toxic exposure and the welfare of armed forces personnel.

This concern has now reached Westminster, where the issue will be debated formally on Tuesday, 8 July 2025 from 16:00pm to 16:30pm, under the subject: “Military helicopters and blood cancers”.