Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gulf veterans get aid to sue MoD

Tim Kelsey
Thursday 19 January 1995 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

More than 45 Gulf war veterans who claim to suffer from Desert Storm syndrome have been granted legal aid to sue the Ministry of Defence for negligence. In total, more than 500 servicemen and women are seeking compensation.

Labour demanded yesterday that the Government open an urgent inquiry into the causes of the debilitating illness from which hundreds of British veterans claim to suffer.

There are more than 20,000 United States veterans who are believed to be victims of the syndrome. The American authorities, who officially accept its existence, have launched 30 research projects. The British, however, continue to deny that there is sucha thing as Desert Storm syndrome.

Sufferers complain of vomiting, breathing and eyesight problems, depression, severe headaches and memory loss. They say their illness has been caused by a combination of factors resulting from the Gulf war, including experimental vaccinations given to soldiers before the war; exposure to depleted uranium used in artillery and tank shells; and exposure to Iraqi chemical and biological weapons. The US Senate has disclosed that traces of nerve gas were identified in the war zone.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in