Destitute war veteran denied benefits gets help at long last

A VETERAN battling mental health problems told yesterday how he was pushed to the brink of suicide after he was refused support from the country he risked his life for.

David Knight – who served in Bosnia and the Falkland Islands – was left homeless and destitute when he returned to Britain after eight years working in Spain.

Last night the Department for Work and Pensions made an about-turn after being contacted by the Daily Express – and decided that David was entitled to help after all.

The former rifleman, 43, has been surviving on handouts from food banks and a local soup kitchen since he returned on December 1 last year.

David said: “My mother has been battling cancer for years and recently had a stroke.

“This resulted in me having a breakdown. I was suicidal.

“When I arrived I didn’t even have a mobile phone. I spent the first few days just walking.

“I had nowhere to live and was in desperate need of support.”

The divorcee, who had taught English to Real Madrid stars and top businessmen, applied for Universal Credit after being ruled unfit to work.

Officials originally said he had “not passed the right to reside and habitual residence test”.

David was told that because he was penniless “this implies his plan to live here is conditional on benefit being awarded, which is insufficient to demonstrate a settled intention”. He was also

‘I love my country but I am ashamed of our Government’

denied Personal Independence Payment.

After collecting a bag of tinned food, Pot Noodles and a loaf of bread from a homeless mission, he told the Daily Express yesterday: “I was prepared to die for my country. I had an exemplary record but I’ve been told I am no longer considered a person of Great Britain.

“I’m devastated. Veterans of all ages and mentally drained people deserve better.

“The public are so amazing supporting ex-Forces. I love my country but I am ashamed of our Government.”

David joined the Army aged 18 in 1993, serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets for seven years.

He said he was taken off frontline duties after shattering his ankle during a live fire training exercise in Bosnia which left him with seven pins and two plates in his left leg.

After leaving the Army he went to work in the music industry managing venues and nightclubs, but after the break-up of his marriage he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2005.

After battling alcohol addiction he left for Spain in 2009 to make a fresh start.

David, who no longer drinks, told how he was rescued by charity workers and given shelter at New Belvedere House – a 66-bed residential centre for veterans in crisis in east London.

He said: “It was Veterans Aid that stopped me from committing suicide. I am grateful beyond words.

“I was put in contact with them through the Royal British Legion [who] are doing everything they can to make sure my medical care is looked after, to try to get me a grant for retraining and independent accommodation.”

David also received help from charity Just Rifles which supports former riflemen.

He said he receives a war pension of £170 a month – but has to pay £70 for medication and physiotherapy for ongoing problems with his ankle.

He said he has had offers of employment but has been unable to take them up as he has been signed off by his doctor as not fit to work until March 11.

David said: “I’m completely disheartened. I feel a failure in life since returning to the UK to be closer to my mum and to bring the skills I learned back to Brit-

ain – but it counts for nothing. Universal Credit isn’t working. Not only is it failing me and ex-soldiers I’m seeing more and more that it is failing thousands of people.

“I just feel I would have been better off dead in Madrid than flying home to my own country to get mental support.”

This newspaper is crusading for better treatment for veterans suffering from mental health problems.

We revealed how Falklands veteran Gus Hales went on hunger strike in protest over the lack of mental health care for ex military personnel.

The former sergeant, 62, won a pledge from the Government that veterans will get “the support they need”. But last night Gus said it was yet another case where veterans had been “betrayed”. Gus said: “He signed up to put his life on the line to defend his country, then when he needs help from the system it isn’t there.

“According to the military covenant, a war pensioner is entitled to special treatment.”

A DWP spokeswoman said last night: “We have overturned our initial decision and apologise for any distress caused. Mr Knight is now eligible to access support through Universal Credit and we will be making a back payment to cover his claim.”

Carol Fugler of Just Rifles said: “If it weren’t for the charities getting involved David Knight could have become yet another statistic.”