A GOVERNMENT minister has promised to look into the war pension scandal of the late Gulf War syndrome victim, Terry Walker.

Derek Twigg, the Minister for Veterans, agreed to investigate after York MP High Bayley raised Terry's case in the House of Commons.

Mr Bayley told MPs that Terry, who lived in Wheldrake, near York, had been a fit lance-corporal when he went to Iraq to fight in the first Gulf War.

He said: "He came back with broken health and was discharged from the army. Last month he died, leaving two children, both below the age of majority, who are being cared for by his parents.

"At present, no provision is being made for those two children, either from his serviceman's pension or from the War Pensions Agency. Will the minister examine the case as a matter of great urgency and ensure that provision is made for the children of Terry Walker?"

Mr Twigg said that on behalf of the Government, he offered his "sincere condolences" to Mr Walker's family and friends. He said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on an individual case in the House of Commons, but added: "I will look into it."

The Press has been campaigning for justice for Terry since revealing last month how, before he had died aged 48, on June 2, following an unsuccessful heart transplant operation, his war pension had been cut.

He had been granted a 100 per cent war pension in 1998 after being blighted by swollen joints and legs, blinding headaches, rashes and aches, as well as post traumatic stress disorder.

However, shortly before last Christmas, the payments were cut to only 40 per cent of what they had been and, following his death, the war pension was stopped altogether and his army pension was stopped on the grounds he was divorced.

The Press is campaigning to make both his army pension and war pension transferable, so his children, Stefan and Kirsty Walker, aged 17 and 12, receive some benefit, and for his full 100 per cent war pension to be reinstated.

Hundreds of readers have signed our petition and the Government has already agreed to review the decision to stop the army pension.

Mr Bayley said he had a great interest in the case as he was himself a former Pensions Minister.

Terry's mother, Hazel, today welcomed the minister's response to Mr Bayley's question, saying: "Let's hope they do something now."

* You can back our campaign for Justice for Terry by signing our online petition via the link below.