That's Victory for Compensation as Government U-turns

The families of the two injured soldiers in the compensation scandal yesterday welcomed the Government's U-turn - but said it should never have tried to slash their sons' payouts.

They spoke out after Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced an urgent review of the compensation system and promised it would mean Corporal Anthony Duncan, 27, and Royal Marine Matthew McWilliams, 24, could keep their cash.

Duncan's mum Carol said: "I don't think I have to tell you how I felt when I discovered the MoD was trying to reduce his money.

"The timing of this has been awful when soldiers are still out in Afghanistan. I am glad there has been a change of heart.

"I just hope the review is fair because Tony, us and other families have been through a horrendous time. It took Tony four years to get back to full fitness and to be able to resume active service. He is now back in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan where his unit has suffered more casualties this week."

Her husband Andy, 45, said: "What gets me is that there are penpushers in London counting numbers and fighting compensation awards when our son is out dodging bullets in Afghanistan and fighting the Taliban."

Duncan was initially awarded £9,250 after he was shot in the leg in Iraq. McWilliams got £8,250 after fracturing a thigh in a military exercise.

But a tribunal increased Duncan's money to £46,000 and McWilliams's to £28,750 after both men suffered medical complications.

The MoD caused a public outcry on Tuesday when it took the case to the Court of Appeal, claiming their compensation should only cover their initial injuries.

McWilliams's mum Christine said it was sadly typical of the attitude of those in Whitehall.

She added: "Our men and women are out there fighting in the fiercest war for years and when they come back, the MoD doesn't always look after them.

"Fighting for compensation is a real struggle. It's not about the money. It's often about getting enough to keep you while you recover."

Christine, whose 18-year-old son Rory is also a soldier, added: "Matthew was determined to get better and absolutely adores his job. He is going to Afghanistan next year."

Mr Ainsworth cut short his holiday to announce the review, hurriedly brought forward from next year.

He said: "As Defence Secretary I cannot allow the situation to continue that leaves the public in any doubt about my or the Government's commitment to our servicemen and women."

He said the review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme would ensure the long-term impact of injuries would be taken into account when payments were awarded in future.

It would mean Duncan and McWilliams would keep their money.

And anyone with an existing payout who would have got more under any new guidelines will have their cash topped up. He added: "We need to ensure that the scheme is responsive enough to meet their needs." Forces charities and medical experts will help set compensation levels. The Royal British Legion said the review was long overdue but warned it must be independent.

Campaigns director Robert Lee said: "Our troops on the ground need the assurance a fair and just system will be in place in their time of need. Just as they are there for us when the country calls them.

"The Royal British Legion welcomes this review, but it must be free to draw its own conclusions independently of the MoD." Mr Ainsworth's climbdown came on the final day of the MoD's court case against the two men.

Derek Sweeting QC, acting for the soldiers, told the Appeal Court yesterday it would be "grossly unfair" to ignore the effect of their injuries. A decision by the Court of Appeal judges is due in the autumn.

Tory MP Patrick Mercer, a former soldier, said he despaired of the MoD's mishandling of the compensation issue.

He said: "Why can't this Government see what awful signals it has sent to its fighting forces and their families over compensation?

"On the one hand, the news that ministerial decisions are to be changed and that injured troops will not have their compensation reduced, is a wonderful thing. But why was it necessary to announce that payments were to be reduced in the first place?

"Confidence in the political leadership of the Afghan campaign is fragile enough.

"Such announcements and counter-announcements don't help. The Taliban must be laughing themselves daft!"

The change of heart came as hundreds of mourners paid tribute yesterday to Corporal Jonathan Horne, 27, killed in Helmand Province as he battled to save comrades injured in an explosion.

More than 500 packed into St Gabriel's Parish Church, in Walsall, West Midlands, for the dad of two's funeral. The congregation applauded as his flag-draped coffin was carried in by six soldiers, followed by his widow Rachel.

She told the congregation: "Since that knock at the door my heart has been torn."

The Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson yesterday lifted a blanket ban on his officers wearing badges on uniforms so they can show their respect for serving troops by wearing small union flag emblems.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk