Ministry of Defence bosses have been branded “disgraceful” after admitting that almost 500 wounded troops were spied on by private investigators.
Chiefs have been accused of “dirty tricks” after spending taxpayers money for surveillance on people suspected of submitting fraudulent compensation claims.
Since 2003, Government lawyers have hired private investigators for £1750 a day to watch 489 individuals claiming millions in compensation.
The claims from ex-soldiers are for injuries suffered through training, such as back problems, hearing damage and cold weather injuries.
Ministry of Defence bosses have been branded ‘disgraceful’ after admitting that almost 500 wounded troops were spied on by private investigators
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A total of £135m was paid out during 2021/22 after 5,718 common law claims for compensation were submitted.
The number of compensation claims has surged in recent years with an increase of more than 10 per cent on 2020/21.
The MoD said that it is forced to use private investigators due to a rise in fraudulent compensation claims by military personnel, civilian employees and members of the public.
It comes after a former serviceman claimed £1.5m damages, but “dishonestly portrayed himself as having suffered a more serious injury which had a continuing and disabling effect.”
Michael Mantey said that he had suffered a non-freezing cold injury while serving with 26 Engineer Regiment in Estonia in 2017 and was medically discharged from the Army in 2020.
However, a judge ruled that he suffered a “minor” non-freezing cold injury.
Justice Eyre said Mantey discontinued his claim after the MOD shared “video-recorded surveillance evidence” which was said to be ‘‘inconsistent with the alleged symptoms”.
The video reportedly shows Mantey walking without a stick and wearing sandals.
The number of compensation claims has surged in recent years with an increase of more than 10 per cent on 2020/21
Professor Hilary Meredith-Beckham, CEO of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, said the use of covert surveillance as “disgraceful behaviour by the MoD.”
She told the Telegraph: “Covert surveillance leaves a very bad taste in the mouths of wounded service personnel seeking compensation for injuries caused during their service. This is the wrong cohort to video.
“It’s my experience that these clients are very reticent claimants and only make a civil claim when all else has failed, such as a loss of career due to injury, low award or a long fight with the veterans agency or medical discharge with limited assistance.
“We have had clients who were subjected to surveillance but still won significant awards.”
