DEMAND is growing for a public inquiry after Gulf War veteran John Callaghan was found dead, hanging by his trainer laces in a cell at Strangeways Prison hospital wing.

John (27) was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Gulf War Syndrome. He had been convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs, and had earlier tried twice to take his own life. He had been undergoing specialist treatment at a private clinic in North Wales along with other Gulf veterans before being sentenced, and his family wished that treatment to continue.

Now his parents, John and Alice, are determined that their son's death, which they believe was due to a catalogue of bureaucratic blunders, won't be in vain. They are campaigning for a public inquiry with the backing of MP John Evans, St Helens Council Leader Dave Watts and the The National Gulf Veterans & Families Association.

In a joint statement John Evans and Dave Watts say: "We have joined forces with the Callaghan family and friends in calling for a public inquiry into the tragic death of John Callaghan. We both feel that only a public inquiry can investigate this matter properly and ensure that such a tragedy will never happen again.

"Our thoughts and sympathy are with John's parents, family and friends who did all that they possibly could to bring John's case to the attention of the authorities."

Now John and Alice, their daughter Angela, sons Steven and Shane, and John's girlfriend Kirsty Davidson, are bitter about official refusal to acknowledge Gulf War Syndrome - now recognised in other countries.

On Tuesday, May 7, three weeks after having been convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs, John of Hawes Avenue, Carr Mill, was found hanging from his trainer laces in Strangeways.

His parents admit that John made a mistake, but they also stress that their son, who had an exemplary army record, had never committed another crime in his life.

They point to the fact that John was diagnosed by several consultants as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and Gulf War Syndrome. His marriage had broken down, an auto-electrical business he had set up after leaving the army had failed and he was in such a state mentally and physically that he didn't comprehend the enormity of what he was doing.

Talking about his son, John Callaghan senior, 48, said: "John knew he should never have agreed to supply drugs, and he never actually sold any, but when I asked him why he had agreed at all he said, 'Dad, if someone had asked me to jump off a cliff, I'd have done it'.

"When he came home from the Gulf he was a different lad. His experiences out there were so harrowing that he couldn't bring himself to tell us about them. He suffered violent mood swings, vivid flashbacks , nightmares and severe headaches.

"He was crying out for help. John fought for his country, risked his life for his country and has been let down by his country. He should never have gone to Strangeways"

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