THE CAUSE of the RAF Hercules crash in Iraq in which nine airmen and a soldier died is still being investigated, says the MoD.

A spokeswoman said no details would be released until the end of the board of the inquiry findings.

British defence sources have given conflicting reports on the reasons for the crash on January 10 with the MoD officially refusing to comment on speculation.

Theories have ranged from that of a US general who believed the aircraft, eight of whose crew were based at RAF Lyneham, was not downed by mechanical failure.

North Wilts MP James Gray has said the MoD must discover what the Americans know in a bid to stop the rumours. Other defence sources have said a bomb is believed to have exploded on board the aircraft.

The explosion is thought to have ripped off the entire 65ft right wing, sending the Hercules crashing into the ground. But different defence sources said an RAF board of inquiry, which has examined the crash site north of Baghdad, has found no evidence of a bomb on board.

Mr Gray's own defence sources have told him the most likely cause is ground fire from insurgents.

Among those killed were Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, of Stratton and Flight Sergeant Mark Gibson, 34, of Sparcells.