Menu
10/11/2003
Legion urges public inquiry into Gulf War vaccinations
On the eve of Armistice Day, the Royal British Legion has repeated its calls for a public inquiry into the government’s administration of vaccines to troops deployed in the first Gulf War.
Lord Morris of Manchester, a political advisor to the Legion in the House of Lords, will lead a short debate in the House of Lords today on the causes and impact of so-called Gulf War syndrome.
Director of Welfare at The Royal British Legion, Col Terry English, said: “What we have found in the limited answers from the government is worrying enough for us to have renewed our call for an urgent public inquiry.
“This issue needs to be brought out into the open."
The Legion is taking the lead on behalf of the many Gulf War veterans who believe that illnesses are attributable to the "concentrated anti-biological weapons immunisation programme and/or the requirement to take pyridostigmine bromide (known as NAPS) tablets as an antidote to attacks on the nervous system".
The Legion claims that more than 5,000 Gulf veterans are ill or have died – "a great many from still undiagnosed illnesses".
Lord Morris of Manchester said: “It is an extremely serious matter that 13 years after the conflict so many of our troops, some now terminally ill, still have medically unexplained illnesses.
“It has been frankly admitted that medical record keeping was abysmal and that an unlicensed vaccine was widely used on our troops. The MoD has made it quite clear in reply to my Parliamentary Question that it doesn’t know which and how many vaccines were given to whom and when.
"The Royal British Legion has made a compelling case for a public inquiry that deserves a positive response,” he said.
Former RAF Flight Lieutenant John Nichol, head of the Gulf Veterans Branch of The Royal British Legion said that he felt "betrayed" by the MoD, adding that a public inquiry was necessary to "focus more public attention on the plight of veterans who deal with debilitating illness every day, purely because of their decision to serve their country”.
(gmcg)
Lord Morris of Manchester, a political advisor to the Legion in the House of Lords, will lead a short debate in the House of Lords today on the causes and impact of so-called Gulf War syndrome.
Director of Welfare at The Royal British Legion, Col Terry English, said: “What we have found in the limited answers from the government is worrying enough for us to have renewed our call for an urgent public inquiry.
“This issue needs to be brought out into the open."
The Legion is taking the lead on behalf of the many Gulf War veterans who believe that illnesses are attributable to the "concentrated anti-biological weapons immunisation programme and/or the requirement to take pyridostigmine bromide (known as NAPS) tablets as an antidote to attacks on the nervous system".
The Legion claims that more than 5,000 Gulf veterans are ill or have died – "a great many from still undiagnosed illnesses".
Lord Morris of Manchester said: “It is an extremely serious matter that 13 years after the conflict so many of our troops, some now terminally ill, still have medically unexplained illnesses.
“It has been frankly admitted that medical record keeping was abysmal and that an unlicensed vaccine was widely used on our troops. The MoD has made it quite clear in reply to my Parliamentary Question that it doesn’t know which and how many vaccines were given to whom and when.
"The Royal British Legion has made a compelling case for a public inquiry that deserves a positive response,” he said.
Former RAF Flight Lieutenant John Nichol, head of the Gulf Veterans Branch of The Royal British Legion said that he felt "betrayed" by the MoD, adding that a public inquiry was necessary to "focus more public attention on the plight of veterans who deal with debilitating illness every day, purely because of their decision to serve their country”.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 October 2011
Britain To Honour Fallen WWI Irishmen
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
Britain To Honour Fallen WWI Irishmen
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
01 October 2011
British Ambassador Honours Irish WWI Soldiers
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne in Co Louth next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
British Ambassador Honours Irish WWI Soldiers
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne in Co Louth next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
17 September 2009
Boyce To Chair Army Compensation Review
Lord Boyce will head-up an independent review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the Ministry of Defence has said. The former chief of defence staff's appointment follows MoD minister Bob Ainsworth's announcement in July that he would bring forward a review.
Boyce To Chair Army Compensation Review
Lord Boyce will head-up an independent review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the Ministry of Defence has said. The former chief of defence staff's appointment follows MoD minister Bob Ainsworth's announcement in July that he would bring forward a review.
15 October 2012
Royal British Legion President Quits After Sunday Times Sting
The president of the Royal British Legion has quit his post following allegations made in the Sunday Times. The weekend newspaper reported that Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely claimed he could use his honorary position to help defence companies lobby ministers and senior figures in the UK military.
Royal British Legion President Quits After Sunday Times Sting
The president of the Royal British Legion has quit his post following allegations made in the Sunday Times. The weekend newspaper reported that Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely claimed he could use his honorary position to help defence companies lobby ministers and senior figures in the UK military.
07 July 2011
Royal British Legion Cuts Ties With NoW
Following revelations that the phones of murder victim Milly Dowler and bereaved military families were hacked, the Royal British Legion has suspended ties with the News of the World (NoW). Gen Sir David Richards, the Charity Chief of the Defence Staff has described the claims as "disgusting".
Royal British Legion Cuts Ties With NoW
Following revelations that the phones of murder victim Milly Dowler and bereaved military families were hacked, the Royal British Legion has suspended ties with the News of the World (NoW). Gen Sir David Richards, the Charity Chief of the Defence Staff has described the claims as "disgusting".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
