(British) Marine widow told to repay salary

BBC News World Edition ^ | 04/14/03 | BBC News

[FreeperinRATcage]

The widow of a Royal Marine killed in Iraq says she was told to pay back some of his wages and move out of the family home. Ian Seymour, 28, an operator mechanic (communications) second class, was killed in a helicopter crash in Kuwait at the beginning of the conflict.

His wife Lianne, 27, from Poole, Dorset, was devastated when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) asked her to pay back his salary for the rest of the month and to move out.

But, when told about her plight, Prime Minister Tony Blair said she will not be expected to pay back the money or lose her home.

The MoD has since said that the request for the wages was "an administrative error" and that Lianne can stay in her home for as long as she needs to.

How am I going to afford the basic needs for my son and family in the future?

Lianne Seymour Lianne said: "Unfortunately, I'm a very practical person. I do think about how I'm going to survive without him.

"I should have nothing to worry about apart from the fact that my husband is not coming home.

"That's all I should be worried about - not sat here thinking what benefits am I entitled to."

Because her husband, who served with 3 Commando Brigade, based in Plymouth, Devon, was not identified immediately after the accident his salary continued to be paid into his bank account.

Demand 'an error'

Lianne, who has a three-year-old son, Beck, says she was told to repay the money paid in since he died and that she could only apply for a three-month extension to stay in the house.

During Prime Minister's Question Time on Monday, Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith said: "Does the PM agree that this is a poor way to treat a family which has sacrificed so much and would he ensure this decision is reversed and no other bereaved family will be treated in such a way?"

Mr Blair replied: "In relation to Mrs Seymour, I understand from the Secretary of State for Defence these facts are not correct.

"However I can assure him that if they were they would be wholly contrary to normal practices."

A spokesman for the MoD told BBC News Online: "If she has been told to make a reimbursement that is an error.

"She has not been asked to leave her house. She has not been served any notice to leave."

Lianne is still waiting for an official reply from the MoD.

[FreeperinRATcage]

I know its' BBC, but thought this was worthy of a look.

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[Paul Atreides]

Yet, if she had been some crackwhore, she would be paid to support her habit.

[ez]

What, no "severance" pay?

[Mears]

You are right,a crackwhore would be paid,a refugee would be paid,and the millions on disability with "bad backs" and alcoholism would be paid.

Sound like anyplace else you know???

[sauropod]

You gonna get ahold of Robin Cook to help out this poor woman?

A prime opportunity to embarrass someone that needs it desperately!

[MEG33]

Administrative error has been corrected( on a duplicate thread) posted earlier.

[steplock]

Actually, that was (IS?) the practice in the USA. Just another "benifit" the citizens at large are totally un-aware of.

Actually, thinking back, dependents were NOT allowed to stay on base housing when you were sent overseas for combat. Enlisted at least. They had to move out because the base housing was reserved for military stationed there.

But by appearances, the USA military has a bit better "death" benifits than our GB cousins.

[DannyTN]

Are the families of British and US soldiers protected by insurance? Is that something that the individual is responsible. Most individual policies exclude an act of war, so how does a family protect itself against something like this?

[arasina]

I think it would be nice to start a fund for this widow. We Freepers could thank her for her husband's service and help her out with her tragic loss. I know the error has been corrected, but it still sounds like she may have money troubles ahead. Anyone game?

[optik_b]

I heard Tony Blair asked about this in the House of Commons today (played on c-span radio in the evening). Many of the House of Commons questions were quite pointed and it was great to hear his responses.

I like our President a lot but can you imagine him standing and taking questions on the spot like the British Prime Minster does?

[MEG33]

No, but I can't imagine having a royal family either.

[optik_b]

LOL true. The Royal Family is an absurdity...I believe the only purpose of the Royal Family at this point is to increase tourism.

[MEG33]

Different strokes..

[George W. Bush]

I think it would be nice to start a fund for this widow.

I think we should lobby our government to cover these situations among our allies if necessary. But only offer it quietly so as not to embarass them. None of them would be in this situation if it weren't for our war on terrorism and the aftermath of 9/11. This poor young widow is herself an indirect victim of 9/11. And there will only be a few hundred such cases among our allies. At most. We can easily cover their expenses for a while.

[blam]

Widow of Gulf serviceman will not have to repay his salary

The widow of a Royal Navy commando killed in the Gulf will not be made to pay back part of his salary and give up her home, says Tony Blair.

Lianne Seymour was told by the Ministry of Defence she must move out of the house she shared with her husband Ian after he was killed in a helicopter crash in Kuwait.

She was told to reimburse the remainder of his salary, which had been paid into his bank account after the accident because he was not identified immediately.

After condemnation of the move by her family and in the House of Commons, Mr Blair said Mrs Seymour had been wrongly informed by the MoD.

The MoD conceded that an "administrative error" had been made.

Challenged by Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, the Prime Minister said the facts were not correct, adding: "I can assure you that if they were, this would be wholly contrary to the normal practice. Whatever needs to be done there, will be done."

Mr Seymour, 28, an operator mechanic (communications) second class with 3 Commando Brigade, was one of eight British servicemen who died when a US helicopter they were aboard crashed south of the Kuwait border early in the conflict.

He was given full military honours at his funeral on April 9 at a service at St Michael's Church near the home he shared with his wife and their three-year-old son Beck in Hamworthy, Poole.

Story filed: 21:16 Monday 14th April 2003

[John123]

Question: Does the United States pay some sort of death benefits to the immediate survivors of soldiers who die in combat?

[NeonKnight]

"I'm sorry to have to inform you ma'am. Your husband has sacrificied his life for the greater glory of Britain. Now if you would please pack your bags, we have another family that will be requiring this residence. Oh...and if you have any money, you owe it to us."

[WarrenC]

I think it would be nice to start a fund for this widow.

I agree. I've noticed people setting up funds for the families of reporters David Bloom and Michael Kelly, who I assume were reasonably well off and probably left their families in pretty good shape financially. But I've not seen any suggestions to set up funds for the families of some of the very young fathers and husbands (and at least one mother) who have died in Iraq. I think it's a great idea.

[au eagle]

Back in the early 80's, a Navy pilot relative was killed when his A6 Intruder crashed on take-off from the carrier. His body was never recovered from the Pacific. The Navy treated his widow less than well, among things, asking her for the second set of keys to their base home. Needless to say, she had to tell them to search the Pacific because the keys were in his pocket. Hopefully, things have changed.