Dear Mr Pritchard,

Request for Information - Case No: 11-06-2009-152350-009

Thank you for your e-mail of 4 July about Lord Lloyd's report.

I don't agree with your assessment of my letter of 3 July (reference: SP.05.10.01.10.01).

Suggestions that the Government is not addressing this issue, or that we are being secretive in any way are completely unfounded. Since taking office the Government has placed a very high priority on addressing the understandable concerns of the veterans of the 1990/1991 Gulf conflict. The MOD has gone to great trouble to publish information relating to issues raised by Gulf veterans.

If you can tell me how the MOD organised a “COVER UP” then I would welcome examples of how this was achieved.

I don't believe that Lord Lloyd's inquiry was held for “fun” as you put it. Defence Ministers provided Lord Lloyd with information at the time and considered carefully what his report said on publication.

I hope this helps to clarify our position.

Yours sincerely,

[ J Plato ]