TRUSTEES of the fund set up to help those affected by the Clutha helicopter crash have hit back at claims half the casualties have not received any payments.
Glasgow City Council, which oversees the Clutha Appeal Fund, said not everyone who was present at the tragedy in November 2013 contacted them about payments.
The authority also responded to demands it publish all details of payments made to individuals, claiming it would be a "serious breach of data protection laws".
A council spokesman added: "More importantly, would also breach the trust of those the fund was established to help."
It follows reports that half of casualties have not been paid anything, that many were not contacted by the council, some received less than they were promised and claims the council figures "don't add up".
Gary Anderson, manager of Esperanza, the band playing in the bar when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed through the roof killing 10 people, said he had been approached by several survivors who had not received cash from the fund.
He said: "The council stated they wanted to acknowledge everyone who was affected by the tragedy, but they have only acknowledged half of those involved. We have discovered significant discrepancies and we want answers.
"We just want to know the money was spent correctly and that there hasn't been serious mismanagement."
But responding to claims it should publish all fund figures, a council spokesman said: "This would make it all but impossible for the council to administer any similar appeal in the future, should another tragic event take place in the city and would discourage those in need from accessing support services.
"The fund was overseen by senior elected members from the administration and opposition and the most senior finance and legal officials in local government in Scotland. It was fully audited by experts from the oldest accountancy firm in the country."
The Clutha Appeal Fund was set up to "provide recognition and acknowledgement by society of the experience of being involved in a disaster" rather as a substitute for insurance or compensation for injury or loss.
Final balances of more than £500,000 were dispersed during July and August and the Fund was formally closed on September 22 last year.
A report on the cause of the crash is due this summer but is expected to say that it was not due to pilot error.
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