MP's anger over soldier's payout

Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox lambasted the Government for 'incompetence' after learning Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson's story.

The Star revealed on August 9 that Ben - who lost both legs and suffered serious head inquires in a landmine explosion in Afghanistan - was awarded compensation for just three of his 37 injuries.

His mother Diane Dernie, of Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, is planning to take the Ministry of Defence to the High Court after he was awarded 152,150 - just over half the 285,000 maximum award.

Ben's plight led to an outcry which forced the MoD to review claims for service personnel suffering multiple war wounds. But in a withering attack, Dr Fox yesterday said the review was too little, too late: "It is appalling the way this Government treat our Armed Forces.

"The case of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson is testament to the incompetence.

"I find it amazing that ministers are able to sleep at night knowing Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, and others like him, have been left high and dry after giving so much.

" Believing you can have a 'one size fits all' compensation scheme is preposterous."

Ben, 23, who served with the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, was in Helmand province when his Landrover went over a Taliban landmine last September. The blast cost him both legs.

"He suffered a blast injury to his brain, skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw and pelvis; fractures, crushed vertebrae and damage to his spleen and chest. He needs 24-hour care. He has also lost the last three years of memories.

Ben was granted compensation of 115,000 for losing his legs, 34,500 for his head injuries, and 2,650 for his broken elbow.

The assessment did not take into account his other wounds.

An MoD spokesman said: "We are keeping the compensation scheme under review in light of experience, particularly the complex injuries currently being sustained on operations, to ensure it remains focused on the most severely injured."