A GOVERNMENT probe into Gulf War sickness was today blasted as "ten years too late" by a sufferer.

Scores of Gulf War veterans from East Lancashire were today urged to come forward and help a major investigation into the mystery illnesses suffered by members of the armed forces who served in Iraq against Saddam Hussain.

But chemical warfare specialist and Gulf War syndrome sufferer Philip Congdon, of Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood, has blasted the Government for delaying action over the mystery illness.

Mr Congdon, who worked for the Government as a defence adviser throughout the war, said: "The writing has been on the wall for almost the last 10 years and the Government has been guilty of rank dishonesty.

"It was apparent immediately after the war that there was a serious problem but nobody did anything about the situation.

"It has been convenient for politicians to ignore the situation but there are thousands of people out there who are still suffering the consequences." Mr Congdon, who was the Referendum parliamentary candidate in Hyndburn last year, added: "I myself suffered from serious stomach pains for three or four years after the conflict, which stopped me from working. Because so many people were exposed to such a wide range of toxic chemicals and weapons the results can range from death to stomach complaints.

"People want to find a convenient set of symptoms but it is far more complicated than that."

Armed Forces Minister John Reid has called on more than 20,000 "missing" veterans from the war to contact the Ministry of Defence.

Scientists want to discover if people who served in the conflict suffer from more sicknesses than those who were not involved in the war.

The minister has appealed for veterans who have left the forces since the conflict without leaving any contact address to get in touch with the Ministry of Defence.

Dr Reid said: "I am asking all Gulf War veterans - especially the fit and healthy - to contact the Gulf War Health Survey so they can do something to help their sick comrades by helping establish if there are Gulf War illnesses and what they are."

Former soldiers should write to GWHS, PO BOX 14929, London, WC1E 7HR with their full name, date of birth, a contact address, and, if possible, their service number and any details of the unit they served with.

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