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Gulf war syndrome inquiry welcomed
By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent
(Filed: 15/06/2004)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml
Gulf war veterans and the Royal British Legion welcomed yesterday's
announcement of an independent inquiry into the range of illnesses
commonly known as Gulf war syndrome.
The legion said it was delighted that the inquiry had been set up and
would support it in any way it could. The Gulf War Veterans and Families
Association said it welcomed the decision but was concerned that the
remit might be too narrow and that the inquiry might be "a David Kelly
type whitewash".
But Lord Morris of Manchester, who set up the Gulf War Illness inquiry,
said he understood their suspicions but the Hutton inquiry was set up by
the Government.
"The inquiry is entirely independent," he said. "It is not a
parliamentary or Government inquiry, and will be conducted publicly by
Lord Lloyd of Berwick, a former law lord." Alex Izett, 34, from
Cumbernauld, a former soldier who says he is suffering from Gulf war
syndrome and went on hunger strike last month, agreed to call off his
protest after being told about the inquiry.
More than 5,000 veterans of the 1991 Gulf war are in receipt of war
pensions, for a range of conditions and many are terminally ill.
External links:
Royal British Legion
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
The Royal British Legion is delighted at the announcement of the
independent inquiry into Gulf War Illnesses, chaired by the Rt Hon the
Lord Lloyd of Berwick. It calls on Gulf veterans to support the inquiry
and come forward with evidence
Gulf War Veterans and Families Association
http://www.ngvfa.com/
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