WIDOWS of the Hercules tragedy have been warned they will sacrifice their pension rights if they dare to speak out against the Government.

The revelation comes amid rumours that some families are considering legal action after questions were raised over how well the RAF Lyneham plane, shot down by enemy fire shortly after take off in Iraq in January 2005, was protected.

But relatives of the ten servicemen who perished have been threatened with forsaking their pensions if they force the MoD to pay compensation for negligence.

The revelation has sparked outrage from North Wiltshire MP James Gray who called for the warnings to be withdrawn immediately.

"This is outrageous," said Mr Gray. "If the Lyneham widows are able to sue the MoD for doing something wrong then that must be in addition to and totally separate from pensions.

"Surely these are heroes who have given their lives for the Government. It's disgraceful and scandalous that their pensions could be affected."

Mr Gray said he hadn't been in touch with any of the Lyneham relatives, although he would do anything he could to support their plight.

The warning appears in a clause in the pension documentation and is entitled Reduction in Attributable Forces Family Pension.

It states: "If you have been awarded an Attributable Family Pension, this may be subject to a reduction if at any time you receive compensation from a third party as a consequence of the death of your spouse."

In the aftermath of the Hercules tragedy, it was revealed the MoD had ignored warnings from senior RAF officers about safety. It had been recommended that an anti explosion protection system, known as foam retardant should be installed.

Former Hercules pilot Nigel Gilbert, a close friend of a number of the crew who died, believes the aircraft could have survived the enemy fire that brought it down.

He said: "We have lost an aircraft and a brave crew but they need not have died. The US Air Force first had foam in 1965 and the Australians have had it since 2003."

Sarah Chapman, whose brother Bob O'Connor died in the crash, said: "Despite relentless requests the cost has been seen to be too great and the foam not installed.

"I've paid the ultimate cost with losing my brother."

It is now thought relatives of the dead are considering legal action against the MoD because they believe the crash was avoidable.

But they may now have to reconsider their position after the pension position was pointed out.

Kellie Merritt, 29, the wife of Flt Lt Paul Pardoel who was on board the fated Hercules, hit out at the ruling.

The mother-of-three said: "The pension my children and I receive is Paul's right of entitlement.

"His pension should be separate to any concern the next of kin have surrounding the deaths of the ten servicemen."

A spokesman for Military Families Against The War branded the move as intimidation. It said it would be consulting lawyers to stop anyone pursuing legal action from being penalised.

In a statement, the MoD confirmed that pension payments were subject to a reduction if a widow received compensation.