Veteran mental care 'a disgrace'


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L/Cpl Johnson Beharry with his Victoria Cross in 2005

L/Cpl Beharry also spoke about his own mental health

Britain's highest-decorated serving soldier has criticised the government for failing to help ex-servicemen and women suffering mental health problems.

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, said it was "disgraceful" that some veterans struggled to get treatment.

He told the BBC the Army provided "first-class" treatment but ex-soldiers were forced to wait on the NHS.

The MoD said a "huge amount of work" was being done on mental illness.

L/Cpl Beharry, who was given the VC for twice leading comrades to safety during attacks in Iraq, called on the government to give more help to his comrades suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, depression and mental breakdowns.