Should we prosecute MOD for criminal negligence?

Question

The Royal British Legion is unable to assist wounded or ill troops, because the MOD claims they are prvented to passing on a serviceman's details, by the Data Protection Act.

Meanwhile another government department, the DVLA, is brazenly selling drivers' details to car parking firms, even having been warned that such actions could be unlawful.

Could it be that the Treasury (Gordon Brown) is trying to keep compensation claims from our wounded ex-servicemen to the minimum?

Answer 1

I think we should be approaching the person who said the "buck stops here" sorry if i've misquoted you Tony, but us mere mortals weren't the ones to declare war - government officials were and as such they should be held to account. As for the terrible treatment our service personnel receive, I do think GB and NI need to stand up and declare "No more". Let them send their offspring out to be shot at, mortar'd etc, and see how they feel, instead of buying cushy flats in Bristol!!

Answer 2

As a veteran of World War 2, my father is a member of the British Legion, so I have a personal interest in this matter. This is certainly a disgraceful way to treat brave men and women who have seen active service in our armed forces. Criminal negligence, I don't know - that is up to the law to decide.

This kind of neglect and evasion of responsibility of the government towards those who have served in the armed forces is unfortunately nothing new, however. It has has been going on since long before the 1998 data protection act came into force, and long before the current government came into power, so I don't think we can heap all the blame onto Gordon Brown. For example, the British Legion has been campaigning to achieve a just settlement on on behalf of veterans and bereaved families of the 1990-91 Gulf War. There are also examples from the Falklands war and every other conflict going back to world war 2, where the British Legion have been campaigning to get our servicemen a fair deal and have encountered government resistance of one form or another. The data protection act is just the latest in a long line of excuses.

This is why rather than seeking a prosecution against the government which is likely to fail, the British Legion should be supported by all of us in their fight for justice on behalf of those who have fought for their country.

For more info on the Royal British Legion - follow this link: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk

Answer 3

You are crafty. Asking two questions at the same time!

Well, as far as I know, the British Legion is a fine organisation with Branches all over the country. Are you telling me there are ex forces members who are not able to contact you? I doubt it. Your Poppy Day is a shimmering example of how much you care for these unfortunate people (my son -in -law is an example) and I cannot imaging that the families of these people are not aware of your services. I'm afraid this does not, in Law, amount to Criminal Negligence.

Now the other matter. I was not aware that DVLA was selling names and addresses to other parties so I will do some research on this via the website and other means and report back, Sir.

Answer 4

The Treasury is conning us again and I think it is disgusting that they sell drivers details to what could be unsavoury characters, I have heard stories that the car recovery firms usually employ burly men and can be very intimidating