Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles has called on the Government to ban Korean Air from operating in British air space until the airline has achieved major improvements in its safety record.

Speaking in the wake of December's Stansted air disaster, which involved a Korean Airways cargo jet, Mr Pickles said: "I have been increasingly concerned about the safety of the aircraft flying over my constituency.

"For some time now I have been expressing my concern that cargo aircraft using London Stansted Airport have been overloaded. Now we see a cargo aircraft crashing in close proximity to homes and businesses.

"While there is no suggestion that this particular aircraft was overloaded, the safety record of Korean Airways leaves a lot to be desired.

"I have therefore called for a complete ban on Korean Airways flying in British air space until the company can demonstrate a significant improvement in its safety record.

"I am also renewing my call for tighter control of the cargo aircraft using London Stansted Airport so we can minimise the risk of another cargo plane crashing in the future, perhaps with more catastrophic results than on this occasion."

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