Today's defence-related news includes a Sky package on soldiers prescribed with the anti-malarial drug Lariam and BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and BBC Breakfast featuring a Help For Heroes study predicting the support veterans will need in future.
Help for Heroes
Radio 4’s Today programme reports on a study by Kings College London and Help For Heroes which says one in nine veterans will need some sort of medical care, such as for mental health problems or replacement prosthetic limbs. The report, also carried in The Sun, said veterans are prone to anxiety and depression and that the new data attempts to work out what care will be required.
A Government spokesperson said:
The Government is absolutely committed to optimising the physical and mental health of the Armed Forces community. That is why the MoD, NHS and service charities work alongside one other to help improve outcomes for serving personnel, their families and our veterans. There is a wide range of support available to help personnel make a transition back to civilian life – and we know the vast majority do so successfully. We will examine the Kings College London findings closely to see whether any changes can be made to help improve outcomes further and bring interested parties even closer together.
Lariam
Sky features case studies of individuals who have taken Lariam and claim to have suffered side effects, as the defence select committee is due to meet today to look into its use in the Armed Forces.
An MOD spokesperson said:
No anti-malarial treatments are without associated side effects but it is crucial we protect our personnel from this potentially fatal disease upon deployment to affected areas. We need to be able to use the most appropriate drug in order to ensure resistance and base our advice on the current guidelines set out by Public Health England. Mefloquine is used throughout the world but is not prescribed widely in the UK military, and only after an individual risk assessment.
Syria strikes
RAF fighter jets used Brimstone missiles in Syria against Daesh targets for the first time is carried in a number of papers. Reports in the Express, Telegraph and The Sun say they destroyed a supply truck near Raqqa and a crane near the Omar oil field.
Read more about the UK military's activity against Daesh here
Iraq veterans
There is further coverage of IHAT’s work. The Prime Minister has said he is “deeply concerned” that Iraq war veterans face being investigated more than once over allegations of unlawful killing and torture of civilians, amid fears that it could damage recruitment and morale while lawyers and human rights groups defend the investigations.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The vast majority of UK Service personnel deployed on military operations conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the law. We owe them a debt of gratitude for putting themselves in harm's way in dangerous operational environments. The MOD takes all criminal allegations extremely seriously and the IHAT was set up in 2010 to ensure that claims, some going back many years, are properly investigated and the facts established. This is a complex and unfortunately time consuming process which can be made more difficult by some legal firms and opponents seeking to abuse the system for their own ends. However we are taking steps to ensure our Armed Forces overseas are not subject to persistent legal claims that undermine their ability to do their job. Ministers have commissioned detailed work on this and will make any further announcements in due course.
Deepcut inquest
There is further reporting from a pre-inquest hearing yesterday into the case of Private Cheryl James, the recruit found dead more than 20 years ago at Deepcut Barracks. The hearing is reported in the Daily Mail, Independent and Telegraph and The Mirror.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Private Cheryl James. The inquest will now be a matter for the coroner, but we will of course continue to cooperate with and provide support to the coroner where needed.
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