MoD urged to drop compensation appeal

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth's aide has urged him to drop his appeal against compensation awards to two injured servicemen. Labour MP Eric Joyce said that while the Ministry of Defence stood a good chance of winning its court challenge, success would amount to "a victory for bureaucracy over bravery". His comments came as the former chief of the British Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, branded the MoD's attempt to reduce the compensation award "virtually incredible". Gen Jackson called for a review of the compensation system for injured troops to be transferred from the MoD to an independent body in order to restore public confidence. The MoD last week went to the High Court to challenge tribunal rulings which increased the payouts to two soldiers who developed medical complications after treatment for their initial injuries.

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ITN | August 3, 2009

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