UK veteran on hunger strike over Gulf War Syndrome

A former British soldier is preparing to die after nearly seven weeks on hunger strike in protest at the Ministry of Defence’s refusal to hold a public inquiry into “Gulf War Syndrome”.

Alex Izett, a 34-year-old Scot now living in Germany, has ordered doctors not to force feed him if he falls unconscious in the next few days.

The former lance corporal received a cocktail of injections in preparation for the first Gulf War in 1991, but ultimately the operation progressed so quickly that his Germany-based unit of Royal Engineers was never sent to the Gulf to fight.

Gulf War veterans’ associations say one in six former soldiers are suffering from mystery diseases which they link to their deployment, and some 500 soldiers have died since the conflict.

Britain and the United States deny there is a “Gulf War Syndrome” of specific symptoms tied to serving in the conflict, although both countries often pay pensions to sick soldiers.

Izett blames the jabs for ravaging his health and causing his advanced osteoporosis and mental breakdown. On one day he received nine different injections, including vaccinations against anthrax and meningitis. He has also suffered memory loss, temporary paralysis, fatigue and severe mood swings.

40 DAYS OF HUNGER STRIKE

The former soldier is into the 40th day of his fast, which he began on his 34th birthday - surviving on water and tea.

“I’ve been vomiting blood, I’ve got severe shakes, severe kidney pains and periods of unconsciousness,” he told Reuters. “In the last two days I’ve stayed at my friend’s house because it is probably getting too much for the children.”

Izett is being cared for by friends, his teenage children and estranged German wife.

He said the Ministry of Defence continued to lie about “Gulf War Syndrome” - driving him to his extreme action.

“I’m not interested in compensation. My health has been taken. Money is not going to bring my health back, it is my dignity.

“The MoD should stand up and say ‘we made a mistake we are sorry, what can we do to help you? That is all I would like,” he added.

The MoD said in a statement: “We are doing all we can to address the concerns that 1990/91 Gulf Veterans, such as Mr Izett, have about their health.

“Independent research has found no single cause for the illnesses that some suffer,” it added.

In a landmark ruling last year, Izett was awarded a pension by the War Pensions Appeal Tribunal who agreed his vaccinations had triggered some of his conditions.

Veterans Minister Ivor Caplin said on Monday he hadn’t ruled out a public inquiry. However, a department spokeswoman said the official position remains that no inquiry is needed. 

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