Post-traumatic desk syndrome

Lying to bereaved families takes its toll on MoD press officer

Legion magazine editorial

Published: 6 August 2009

This summer, it seems that a week can’t pass without an MoD compensation claim hitting the headlines. And the latest is sure to open up a whole new can of worms.

This time, it’s not a front-line soldier who’s taking on the Ministry in order to secure a fair deal. The claimant is a 62-year-old press officer who says the nature of his desk-job has caused him to develop PTSD.

John Salisbury-Baker, who was based at Imphal Barracks in York before going on sick leave, says he was left ‘broken’ after making false claims to the media about the safety of Snatch Land Rovers. He is now suing his employers, citing disability discrimination.

Lying to the families of those killed on the frontline was all too much for him to bear, he claims, leading to his diagnosis last year.

While not wanting to dismiss Mr Salisbury-Baker’s condition – as veterans through the years have testified, PTSD is a terrible cross to bear – the implications of this case are sure to cause concern throughout the forces community.

Firstly, what happens if the MoD does pay out? Mr Salisbury-Baker claims he was ordered to lie to the press. Any compensation awarded will surely be classed as an admission of deception? If the MoD openly admits it deceived the press and the public, what will that do for the morale of our troops still serving on the front line?

He also claims that the MoD failed to make provisions for his condition, and he did not receive the correct training to help him deal with bereaved families.

What if it emerges that other MoD employees feel the same way? Service and ex-service personnel are already having difficulty claiming adequate compensation payouts for horrific physical and mental injuries. If another compensation system needs to be set up for the MoD’s legion of civil servants too, then what effect is that going to have on the already-overstretched Defence budget?

Mr Salisbury-Baker is bound by the Official Secrets Act, so we may never know the full details of his claim, but I’m sure the effects of this case won’t be contained to the courtroom.

What do you make of it all?