Calls for action after veteran suicides

An Aberdeen MSP has written to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson calling for action on veteran suicides, and has accused the Ministry of Defence of a “dereliction of duty”.

Aberdeen Central SNP member Kevin Stewart said more needs to be done to support veterans and that recording suicide figures should be the first step.

A number of veteran suicides have been reported in recent weeks, although statistics are difficult to ascertain as there is no official records kept.

Last week it was reported by the Daily Record that five Scottish veterans took their own

“Dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Defence”

lives in the previous week. Among them was father-of-two Highlander Jamie Davies of 4 Scots, the Highlanders.

Mr Stewart has written to the MoD and the Scottish Government about the possibility of Scotland recording these statistics using devolved powers. He said: “It is a dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Defence that they have not kept a record of veterans once they have left the armed forces and it has made it incredibly difficult to highlight the support which is available to those that may need it.”

A UK Government spokeswoman said: “The MoD has increased its spending on mental health to £22 million a year, set up a 24/7 Military Mental Health Helpline and continues to tackle any perceived stigma around talking about mental health issues.

“Veterans can access specialist medical support from the NHS and the wide range of service charities which the MOD works closely with.”