Chris Protheroe, a British expert on air disasters, spoke to a reporter from “Czarno na biały” about his cooperation with the Smolensk subcommittee, but he could not reveal all the facts due to a confidentiality clause that was binding on him. Deputy Minister of Defense Cezary Tomczyk, called out by an internet user, assured that he “is in favor of full transparency” and that each of the experts can apply to the Ministry of National Defense to lift such a clause. “In every such issue, if it is legally permissible, we will answer: yes,” he assured.
Reporter Piotr Świerczek from “Czarno na biały” spoke with one of the independent experts who was hired by the Smolensk subcommittee. It is the British Chris Protheroe, an experienced specialist who has investigated hundreds of disasters, including those when a bomb exploded on board a plane.
His findings, however, did not agree with the thesis of the attack pushed by Antoni Macierewicz. “Macierewicz was not satisfied. He basically refused to accept the report unless I made changes to it. He tried to force it, but I refused,” said Protheroe. “I am not allowed to say what caused the disaster, but we know what Macierewicz's position is and what he is trying to push through. My work did not confirm his views,” added the expert.
And “he is not allowed to say” because when signing the agreement with the subcommittee, he also signed a confidentiality clause.
Tomczyk: full material on the subcommittee's work coming soon
After the broadcast of the “Black and White” material, one of the Internet users drew attention to the problem of the confidentiality clause, which limits the statements of experts. She appealed to the Deputy Minister of National Defense to abolish it Cezary Tomczykwho is responsible for clarifying the matter of the Macierewicz subcommittee in the ministry.
The deputy minister responded to this appeal. As he informed, full material on the work of the subcommittee “will be presented soon, there are also materials from 'foreign experts'”.
He informed that “the confidentiality clause was lifted in favor of the Ministry of National Defense and the team that is holding Macierewicz accountable, because such is the law in Poland.”
He noted that “each expert may apply to the Ministry of National Defense to lift the clause in a specific case.” “In each such issue, if it is legally permissible, we will answer: yes,” assured the deputy minister.
He stressed that he “obviously supports full transparency, wherever the law allows it.”
Main image source: TVN24