A FORMER lance corporal crippled by what he claims is Gulf War Syndrome believes new American compensation legislation gives sick British veterans "a glimmer of hope".

Terry Walker, from Wheldrake, near York, who is categorised under the Government's war pensions scheme as being 100 per cent disabled, said the Ministry of Defence could not ignore the fact that the American Government will now compensate its sick Gulf veterans.

Thousands of British Gulf veterans are still seeking compensation from the Ministry of Defence, which claims research has shown no evidence of a unique Gulf War syndrome.

But the new American Persian Gulf War Compensation Act of 2001 gives U.S. veterans the chance to be compensated for all the unexplained illnesses believed to have been caught during service in the Gulf, including fatigue, headaches and muscle pain.

It also recognises several possible causes of the illnesses, including exposures to depleted uranium, vaccinations and petroleum products.

Terry, 42, who is on a war pension suffering from asthma, rashes, aches, digestive problems, muscle pain and headaches, has now written to his MP John Grogan, who promised to look at the issue.

"It's a massive victory for the American veterans," said Terry, "We want the same treatment over here.

"Thousands of soldiers' lives have been ruined because of the Gulf and the death toll is increasing.

"We demand justice, but for our Government it all boils down to money."

Mr Grogan told the Evening Press: "I'm hoping to meet Mr Walker in my surgery during the New Year. I also plan to contact the American Embassy for more details about the compensation scheme."

Shaun Rusling, chairman of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, said the new American legislation was a big step forward. He said: "The Ministry of Defence can't ignore this. The United States Congress has clearly accepted that there is a specific illness for Gulf Veterans and is prepared to compensate for it.

"We hope that Britain will quickly follow suit - we've been let down massively so far. We intend to keep the pressure up."

Updated: 11:28 Monday, January 07, 2002