'Gulf syndrome' campaigner dies

Many Gulf War veterans could face a bleak future

Tributes were being paid to a war veteran, who led the campaign for recognition of Gulf War syndrome, after he died in a nursing home.

Former Royal Navy petty officer Nigel Thompson, who was based in Yeovilton, Somerset, blamed his illness on the drugs he was given during the 1991 Gulf conflict.

The 44-year-old died on Wednesday, he was suffering from motor neurone disease.

His widow, Samantha, has vowed to continue his battle for a public inquiry, in his memory.

Stronger campaign

Fellow veteran and campaigner Tony Flint said the news of Mr Thompson's death was deeply saddening.

"He knew his own outcome but he carried on fighting right to the end to get justice for us all," he said.

"He will be very much missed. The fight will carry on even more strongly now, getting justice for him and his family."

Chairman of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, Shaun Rusling, said: "We would clearly pay tribute to the fund-raising he did while he was very ill and to his wife and family who have been very supportive not only to him but also to other veterans who have been ill.

Syndrome vicitms blame drugs they were given

"Our thoughts are with them at this time."

Mr Thompson was one of three veterans who made an appeal to Prime Minister Tony Blair to hold a public inquiry into the cause of Gulf War illnesses in January 2000.

They handed in a letter at 10 Downing Street which said it was time to redress the injustices suffered by those who served in the Gulf.

He believed that his own illness was due to drugs he was given while he served in the Gulf as a mechanic with 848 Naval Air Squadron, a helicopter unit sent out from the Somerset base.

Mr Thompson was discharged from the Navy in 1994 because of his illness after 21 years' service and ultimately needed 24-hour care.

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In 1997 he was presented with a special award from the Royal British Legion for his work on behalf of fellow veterans and their families.

At the time his wife Samantha said: "We believe Nigel's condition is a direct result of the cocktail of inoculations and tablets he was given to prevent illness.

"We are fighting to bring this to people's attention so that a tragedy like this is never allowed to happen again.

"His life may have been destroyed but we don't want other families to suffer as we have."

Gulf War syndrome had never been proved, the government's own investigations into why 5,000 servicemen became ill are continuing and findings may be published next year.