PM steps in as dead soldier’s Army payout is given to friend, not his widow
THERESA MAY has ordered an urgent inquiry into red tape around military pensions after a soldier’s £120,000 death-inservice benefit was paid to his friend instead of his widow.
Bereaved Charlotte Hughes, 27, was denied the pay-out following the death of her husband Andy, a sergeant in the Intelligence Corps, in a car crash in October. He was 33.
The Prime Minister wrote to Mrs Hughes, a teacher, telling her: ‘I was deeply sorry to learn of your husband’s tragic death and would like to offer my most sincere condolences.
‘I was also very sorry to read of the difficulties you have faced in regard to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.’ She has asked the Minister for Defence Veterans, Mark Lancaster, to investigate.
Sgt Hughes had indicated in his will that his wife should be the sole recipient of his estate, but the benefit was paid to a former Intelligence Corps colleague, Andrew Cooke, 30.
Despite allegedly telling Mrs Hughes initially that he would give her the money, Mr Cooke has so far not done so.
The fiasco began in 2013 when Sgt Hughes deployed to Afghanistan and was told to nominate someone to receive the payout should he be killed in action. He had just started dating his future wife so she declined his offer to nominate her, and he chose Mr Cooke.
Sgt Hughes and Charlotte got engaged in Morocco in June last year and married two months later. Shortly after, he made a new military will and gave his wife’s name and address after a paragraph that reads: ‘I give all my estate and effects and everything that I can give or dispose of to…’
On October 14, Sgt Hughes suffered fatal brain injuries in the crash near their new home in Broadway, Worcs, and died in hospital four days later.
His widow said Mr Cooke contacted her to say that he was due to receive the benefit but assured her he would give the money ‘entirely’ to her.
Now, she says he has reneged on this, and the MoD says he is the rightful recipient.
Mrs Hughes, who was close to Mr Cooke’s wife, said: ‘I’ve asked to see them but they’ve ignored me. I’m very hurt.’
The Mail on Sunday understands that Mr Cooke, 30, left the Army last year to retrain as a nurse and is working in the West Midlands.
Last night, his father, Dr Roger Cooke, confirmed that he had passed on our requests for an interview, but added: ‘I think the bottom line is he’s keen not to take it any further.’
Mrs Hughes said: ‘The MoD has closed ranks but I am campaigning for change.’
She is backed by the Forces Pensions Society whose Assistant General Secretary, Hugo Fletcher, said: ‘This issue is a ticking time bomb and affects people across the Army, Navy and Air Force.’
The MoD said: ‘We cannot comment on specific cases, however officials are working to review current processes to ensure that our personnel’s wishes are fulfilled.’
‘This is a ticking time bomb for the MoD’