Minister vows ‘I’ll do all I can’ to help hunger strike veteran
DEFENCE minister Tobias Ellwood last night intervened in a bid to end the hunger-strike protest of Falklands veteran Gus Hales.
Mr Ellwood spoke to the former paratrooper, who has taken a stand against the “disgraceful” lack of mental health care for former soldiers.
The minister – a former captain in the Royal Green Jackets – said he was “grateful for the frank and helpful discussion”.
He had telephoned Mr Hales, who has spent eight days living in a tent outside the Audley Court combat stress treatment centre in Newport, Shropshire.
Mr Ellwood invited Mr Hales, 62, to a meeting to discuss his concerns after pledging to do “all he can” to help veterans in need.
Mr Ellwood said: “I spoke to Mr Hales and was saddened about the situation. It is clear that Mr Hales served his country with distinction and I’m reassured that this situation is being resolved. I look forward to meeting him in the near future.
Duty
“We have a duty to ensure that those injured either physically or mentally continue to receive the best possible care once they leave the Armed Forces.”
Former head of the British Army Sir Peter Wall, who is president of Combat Stress, also took part in the conversation.
Mr Hales, a father of one who lives in Builth Wells, mid-Wales, with wife Angela, received treatment for PTSD at Audley Court for many years.
He claims his support was axed abruptly in 2016 and says hundreds of others were failed by the charity.
Mr Hales said the three-way conversation had been “constructive”.
“I was able to explain my position to the minister and he thanked me for bringing this to his attention. He is a veteran himself and explained to me that his uncle was a veteran who had committed suicide. I definitely think he was sincere in his approach.
“They were keen for me to pack up. They didn’t want me to come to any harm. My intention was always to keep going until Remembrance Day. I told them that.”
The charity has promised a review, but last night Mr Hales said: “That does not go far enough. I am calling for a full independent inquiry.
“We need to ensure the failings that took place are not repeated because lives have been lost as a result of it.”
Combat Stress said it was liaising with the MoD, Department of Health and other military charities to “identify anyone they know who feels they have been discharged improperly”.
A spokesman said: “We have unreservedly apologised for the manner in which Mr Hales was discharged.
“We are extremely concerned about Mr Hales’s health due to the current situation and our clinical team is standing by, ready to offer him any personal assistance he wishes.”