Gulf War syndrome is real

An independent inquiry today claimed it was "indisputable" that thousands of soldiers suffered from Gulf War syndrome.

The investigation, headed by former law lord Lord Lloyd of Berwick, said the Ministry of Defence must now accept that British forces had fallen ill directly as result of serving in the 1991 Gulf war.

The MoD has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the existence of Gulf War syndrome and has refused to compensate the 6,000 soldiers struck by the disease beyond paying their statutory pension.

Lord Lloyd said studies showed troops who served in the Gulf were twice as likely to suffer ill health as those deployed elsewhere. He added: "What the veterans-want above all else is a clear recognition by the MoD that they are ill because they served in the Gulf. Are they entitled to that recognition? In our view they are."

The so-called Gulf war health effect was indisputable, he said. "The most likely explanation may be a combination of more than one cause against a background of stress, since at least some of the causes are thought to have a potentiating effect on each other. But all these causes are directly related to the veterans' service in the Gulf, in what was a very toxic environment. No other possible causes have been proposed," he said.

The inquiry said the MoD should establish a fund to make compensation payments to the veterans.

The inquiry was set up at the request of Labour peer Lord Morris, parliamentary adviser to the Royal British Legion, after the MoD refused an official investigation.

The MoD refused to allow serving officials or military personnel to appear before the inquiry although it did submit written evidence.

However, the inquiry was still able to take evidence from former personnel including the commander of the British forces in the Gulf, General Sir Peter de la Billiè²¥, scientific experts, and some 35 veterans or their families.

An MoD spokesman said: "Once we have had the opportunity to fully assess Lord Lloyd's findings and recommendations we will consider our response.

"Lord Lloyd's investigation was unofficial but we shall address any points made in the same way we have addressed those by other persons with a serious interest in these important matters."