A CIVIL servant believes Government officials are trying to prevent him voicing controversial claims about soldiers’ safety in Iraq at an employment tribunal, until after the General Election.

John Salisbury-Baker, 63, a York-based Ministry Of Defence press officer, intends telling the hearing that peddling “Government lies” about squaddies’ safety caused him post-traumatic stress disorder.

But he said today that the Ministry appeared to be deliberately stalling his claim for disability discrimination.

He said he had lodged the claim in December last year and had fully expected it to have gone to a hearing by now.

But instead it had not even been to a preliminary hearing because of delays caused by the Ministry.

He said he was now intending to lodge an official complaint.

“I cannot think of any other reason for such delays, other than that they would prefer the tribunal not to take place until after the election next year, because the claims might embarrass the Government,” said Mr Salisbury-Baker.

He has been on half sick pay for the last six months.

He said the tribunal office had asked the two sides to take part in a telephone conference early next month to find out what was happening,.

He said: “I understand the tribunal is concerned about the unusually long delays.”

The Press exclusively revealed in August how Mr Salisbury-Baker, of Holgate Road, intended claiming that he had been made ill by being forced to “defend the morally indefensible” when telling the media that Snatch Land Rovers were adequately equipped to withstand roadside bombs.

He also intended telling the tribunal that repeatedly attending funerals of soldiers killed in action, and providing their grieving families with support, contributed to his condition, causing him intolerable stress.

His partner, Christine Brooke, said he was an “honest, sensitive and moral person,” and had visited more than a dozen families devastated by the loss of loved ones in Iraq, often through such bombs.

“He felt responsible,” she said.

After the story appeared, it was reported in newspapers and other media across Britain and then around the world, including Iraq.

The Ministry of Defence said today: “It would be inappropriate to comment on any matter relating to this individual, as this could prejudice any forthcoming proceedings.” However, Ministry sources insisted the hearing was not stalled and was progressing.