Summary
A veteran named Michael Pitchford is seeking £50,000 from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the way he was treated during his military service because he is gay. Despite pressure to leave the army, he was denied the payment because he was not officially dismissed or discharged. The MoD has expressed regret for past treatment of LGBT service members and encourages affected veterans to apply for compensation.
Key Facts
- Michael Pitchford is a 78-year-old veteran claiming mistreatment due to his sexuality while serving in the army.
- Homosexuality was decriminalized in the UK in 1967, but a ban in the military lasted until 2000.
- Pitchford claims he faced severe interrogation and mistreatment and was pressured to buy out his army contract for £250.
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a scheme to compensate veterans who were impacted by discriminatory policies.
- The scheme denies Pitchford compensation because he was not officially "dismissed or discharged."
- The Etherton report led to the introduction of the LGBT+ Veterans Financial Recognition scheme.
- This scheme includes a payment of £50,000 for those who qualify, with additional compensation for further impacts.
- Two other veterans have taken legal action against the MoD over denied payments.
