OUTRAGE AT MoD ATTEMPT TO CUT WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ AWARDS

OUTRAGE AT MoD ATTEMPT TO CUT WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ AWARDS

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has hit out at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over an attempt at the Court of Appeal to significantly reduce the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers.

Mr Robertson has written to the Defence Secretary demanding to know how much the MoD has spent on legal advice and representation in their attempt to challenge the compensation payments.

Mr Robertson said:

“The Ministry of Defence are behaving shamefully in attempting to cut these compensation payments. These two soldiers were wounded while fighting for their country, and now the UK Government is fighting them in court – it is an outrageous and exceptionally crass way to treat these men.

“It is frankly offensive that when our servicemen and women are risking their lives engaged in fierce fighting in Afghanistan, sustaining significant casualties in the process, the MoD are attempting to slash the compensation levels awarded to those wounded in battle.

“Soldiers, sailors and airforce personnel have already volunteered to do a difficult, dangerous and stressful job often in hostile territory thousands of miles from home. To be met with such a response from the MoD when seeking compensation for wounds received in service is unacceptable.

“The MoD should think again about how their action will be viewed by the service community in the present circumstances.”