Geoff Hoon announced Boeing is to simulate the crash

The Ministry of Defence has refused to overturn the verdict of gross negligence reached by two RAF Air Marshals after the crash, despite worries about some of the aircraft's control systems.

But six weeks ago a Lords select committee report concluded there were no grounds to blame the pilots.

The government has still to publish its response, but Mr Hoon confirmed Boeing will recreate what happened.

Mr Hoon also said he wanted to respond to critical comments made by the Lords about Air Chief Marshals Sir John Day and Sir William Wratten who found the crash was caused by "gross negligence".

He said: "Whatever views exist as to the conclusions they reached I hope the House will accept that the Air Marshals' decision was taken neither lightly nor easily.

David Davis led the attack on Mr Hoon

"The judgment was taken with the utmost care, with the fullest consideration of all the available evidence and the application by them of the highest standards of professionalism and airmanship.

"The Air Marshals are both experienced and highly professional senior officers, both experts in their field."

He added: "Nobody would wish to find someone negligent, especially someone who has died unless they were convinced beyond any doubt."

Mr Hoon said the government needed time to reach its "carefully considered conclusions".

"I find it slightly surprising at this stage that the opposition appears to believe that the position of the government and of this House ought to be to simply accept the views of a select committee in the Lords without any further consideration."

Richard Cook was one of the two pilots

Tory Party chairman David Davis outlined the events surrounding the crash, saying there was no cockpit voice recorder, no accident data recorder and no eye witnesses.

But despite the lack of "hard evidence" two Air Marshals to whom the investigating boards reported concluded the pilots were negligent and failed to take appropriate action.

"The pilots were both found guilty of gross negligence," he said.

"Not only did they lose their lives but their reputations were destroyed and with them, the peace of mind of their families.

"They were allowed no defence or appeal, denied the benefit of the doubt and effectively convicted of causing the deaths of 27 other people."

Mr Davis questioned the Air Marshals' decision saying it was based "at best on educated guess work".

Jonathan Tapper: Pilot

Mr Davis said there was a need for the crash simulation to be independent and include all possible factors.

"Any simulation should be carried out by an independent body, not by Boeing, who have a clear commercial interest in the outcome of this case."

He went on to say: "The government should set aside its verdict of gross negligence."

Mr Davis added: "You must accept this is a matter of natural justice and see fit to clear the pilot's names.

"This is now a matter of honour, not just for the pilots but for the MoD itself."