Hunger-strike vet wins pledge from defence minister
MILITARY veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder will “get the support they need” said defence minister Tobias Ellwood yesterday, after a former paratrooper went on hunger strike over “systemic failings” in care.
Mr Ellwood made his pledge after meeting Falklands veteran Gus Hales at Westminster.
Mr Hales – a sergeant who served with 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers – went 14 days without food and slept in a tent during his protest, which ended on November 11 – Armistice Day – last year.
He mounted the action outside Audley Court Combat Stress centre in Newport, Shropshire, where he had been treated for PTSD for years, before his support was abruptly axed in 2015.
During the meeting at the Ministry of Defence, Mr Hales, 62, handed the minister a dossier outlining the names and details of 20 further cases he described as “the tip of the iceberg”.
Failing
The charity – which has issued an unreserved apology to Mr Hales – is carrying out a review of cases “to identify any other veterans who may have been improperly discharged”.
After the meeting, Mr Ellwood told the Daily Express: “We have agreed to meet again in the near future to examine how best to advance support for veterans. I would urge any veteran who has experienced similar problems to Gus to contact Combat Stress.”
Mr Hales said after the meeting: “I told the minister the system is clearly failing.
“He admitted there was a whole generation who he is concerned about, who served in the Falklands and Northern Ireland and have been cast into the wilderness.
“He said that was a major concern and promised to step in to ensure veterans seeking help are provided with it.”