Anthrax jab claim soldier moved

The MoD has denied links between the vaccine and infant deaths

An army chef at the centre of claims anthrax vaccinations were linked to baby deaths in soldiers' families has been moved from his regiment.

Lance Corporal Andy Saupe will be moved from 33 Field Hospital, Hampshire, to an alternative posting.

His wife Alex had told of her concerns at the infant death toll for medical unit members where at least one parent had had the jab.

The MoD said other soldiers had been unhappy about the media exposure.

It was explained to Lance Corporal Saupe that his position in the unit had become untenable Ministry of Defence spokeswoman

There have been two miscarriages, three premature births, one still-birth and a forced termination associated with the Gosport-based unit since last year.

Among them was L/Cpl Saupe's son Kye, who survived for five weeks after being born 10 weeks premature with growth problems and limb defects.

The baby was conceived only a short time after the 23-year-old army chef received two anthrax injections before deployment to the Gulf.

Other soldiers in L/Cpl Saupe's unit are understood to be unhappy that their private medical details were given to the press.

Media activity

An MoD spokeswoman said: "L/Cpl Saupe has not been disciplined.

"It was explained to L/Cpl Saupe that his position in the unit had become untenable.

"This has been due to the reaction of other soldiers to recent media activity.

For him to be victimised like this is absolutely disgusting Shaheen Anderson, Mrs Saupe's mother

"In view of this, L/Cpl Saupe was informed that the commanding officer would be seeking an alternative posting for him.

"The commanding officer also explained that efforts would be made to ensure the new posting would be local so that L/Cpl Saupe and Mrs Saupe could remain in the area."

But Mrs Saupe's mother Shaheen Anderson, 43, said she believed her son-in-law had been "victimised" by army bosses for exposing the issue.

She said: "For him to be victimised like this is absolutely disgusting.

"They are not happy at all and, as far as they were aware, no-one has been treating him any differently, no-one has said they were unhappy about the reports."

Rules 'not broken'

A spokesman for the Sunday Mirror, which first reported fears about the anthrax vaccination, said he was concerned about L/Cpl Saupe's treatment.

He said the soldier had not broken MoD rules which prevent serving soldiers speaking to the press.

Mrs Saupe had taken legal advice to ensure that talking to the newspaper about her concerns would not damage her husband's career, the spokesman added.

The MoD has denied a link between the higher rate of birth defects in children born to 1991 Gulf veterans and vaccination programmes.

But the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association (NGVFA) has called for a public inquiry into the deaths.

It follows claims that women in the first Gulf War were advised by the Army not to conceive children for at least one year after they or their partner received the vaccine.