The publication on November 17 of the findings of the Lord Lloyd independent inquiry on Gulf War illnesses has put further pressure on the government concerning Gulf War Syndrome. The results of the inquiry state, unequivocally, that veterans from the Gulf War of 1991 are suffering illnesses attributable to their service. This is the latest chapter in a long campaign, led by the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association and actively supported by a cross-party group of MPs, who continue to strive for justice concerning the issue.

What is Gulf War Syndrome?
Shortly after troops returned from the Middle East, some of them started to become ill. The numbers have steadily increased over the years. Their symptoms vary from psychological and neurological problems to musculo-skeletal problems. These illnesses affect just about every one of the body’s systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hormonal, genitourinary, and the skin. The wide range of symptoms appeared to confuse the medical profession, who seemed unable to come up with a cohesive diagnosis. Doctors working for the Ministry of Defence persisted in saying that it was stress-induced and “all in the mind”, despite the obvious physical nature of the illnesses – something which laboratory tests, X-rays, and other investigations, have confirmed.
It then emerged that service personnel who had been prepared to go to the Middle East, but who ended up staying in the UK, were becoming ill with the same wide range of problems as deployed veterans. This put a serious question mark over the idea that their problems were due to stress, or a that it was a “psychosomatic” illness. It was also a crucial pointer to the cause of Gulf War Syndrome (GWS).

What caused Gulf War Syndrome?
The first Gulf War has been described as “the most toxic war ever”. The toxins troops were exposed to included chemical warfare (CW) agents, sarin and cyclosarin (released when Iraqi chemical munitions dumps were destroyed); insecticides to combat insect-borne diseases; depleted uranium (DU) from armour-piercing weapons; and the smoke from burning oil wells. Due to concerns that Iraq had developed biological weapons, and to protect troops from indigenous infectious diseases, many troops were given a variety of vaccines in what can only be described as a haphazard and non-standard manner – sometimes as many as 10 in one day. Included in these vaccines were inoculations against plague, and an anthrax vaccine that was given with pertussis (whooping cough) due to problems with its potency. There is very strong evidence that the anthrax vaccine was experimental; some batches apparently contained the unlicensed adjuvant, Squalene.

It is now becoming increasingly apparent that a number of the illnesses suffered by Gulf veterans are autoimmune diseases, where the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, “lupus”), multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, motor neurone disease, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, asthma and skin rashes. All these conditions have been seen in ill Gulf War veterans where the vaccines are the common denominator.

How does it affect the veterans’ lives?
The effect on the veterans has been catastrophic. They have been forced to leave their careers in the services and therefore they have had a loss of livelihood. Some have been medically discharged, others not. Some, if they left the service before they became ill, have lost their jobs. Many veterans have applied for war pensions and, although the Veterans Agency (VA) have been very reluctant to make awards, over 5,500 have made successful applications so far.

Veterans have suffered financial hardship. Many suffer from mental illness, others have turned to crime, become violent, or use alcohol and drugs to try and help them cope with their problems. There have been numerous family break-ups; some veterans are homeless; some are in prison. Over 675 have died, including 200 suicides.

What needs to be done?
Firstly, there needs to be recognition that the Gulf veterans’ illnesses are due to their service. There should be proper recompense to reflect the ruined lives and families, the lost careers, the physical and mental suffering GWS has caused.

Secondly, we need focused research into GWS, similar to that conducted in the USA. We need to develop effective medical treatment and educate health care professionals about GWS.

Above all else, after 13 years and mounting evidence, the secretary of state must now hold a full, and open, public inquiry. The stone-walling must stop and due recognition must be given to the people who continue to suffer. There is a debt of honour to be paid to those who valiantly served their country and are suffering as a result. We must learn how to avoid similar tragedies in the future.