Once again we have inhumane treatment dished out by the Ministry of Defence, this time towards Lianne Seymour, as if she has not enough to contend with with the loss of her husband.

This is not the first time the MoD has exacted its callous treatment on Armed Forces' next-of-kin and, most probably, it will not be the last.

I suggest these pen-pushers and most of our MPs exchange places with our forces in Iraq.

With the exception of a few in Parliament, the rest have not a clue or the experience of the Armed Forces.

It's all very well sitting in Parliament spouting off that we are doing this and doing that in Iraq but it's our boys out there who are risking their lives, not the MPs.

We have the same old tale over and over again. Our boys are doing a good job and we are thinking of them while they are in the firing line.

But once they are back home, they are forgotten, just as after the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts since.

Previous governments and the country couldn't care less.

Mr Blair states: "All our forces fighting in Iraq will be presented with a medal." Big deal. They need something more than a piece of iron.

I have six medals from the Second World War, not worth tuppence. The State could not be bothered to put name, rank or service number on them.

The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand look after and respect their veterans, even giving an additional pension on top of the State pension for service during 1939 to 1945.

All we get in this country is a pitiful State pension. Illegal immigrants are better off than pensioners, thanks to Mr Blair.

Roll on the elections.

-Jack Todd, Hove