British veterans launch 'Gulf War syndrome' inquiry

British war veterans said on Monday they had commissioned an inquiry into "Gulf War syndrome" that would be independent and headed by a retired judge.

Veterans blame a cocktail of jabs they were given in preparation for the 1991 war for a variety of illnesses they have suffered since, but Britain and the United States deny any such syndrome of specific symptoms is linked to the conflict.

The probe, led by retired judge Lord Lloyd of Berwick, will be the first in Britain to examine what caused ill health reported by more than 5,000 British soldiers following the conflict to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

London has resisted pressure to hold a public investigation into the issue but has agreed in some cases to pay pensions to sick soldiers who have linked their illnesses to the deployment.

However, campaigning groups representing former soldiers, such as The Royal British Legion - Britain's largest charity for war veterans, which has been demanding an inquiry since 1997 - said Lloyd had now agreed to hold an independent probe.

"I am delighted to be invited to conduct an independent public inquiry into Gulf War illnesses. My intention is to open the inquiry as soon as possible, and to hold hearings in public," Lloyd said in a statement.

His probe will question doctors, veterans and relatives of soldiers who have since died.

Gulf War veterans' associations say one in six former soldiers are suffering from mystery diseases which they blame on Gulf War syndrome, while more than 600 have died.

However, Britain's Ministry of Defense said in January studies showed veterans were healthier than the public at large.

"With 2,585 veterans - many now terminally ill - already in receipt of war pensions, and over 5,000 reporting a wide range of undiagnosed illnesses, there is clearly a major problem to be addressed," said Lord Morris, the Royal British Legion's parliamentary adviser.