Relief for Army widow in pension fight

An Army widow today spoke of her relief at finally winning her three-year battle for a full pension.

Tina Thompson burst into tears when she received the shock news the Ministry of Defence had decided to award her and three-year-old son Aidan financial security for life.

The MOD's dramatic turnaround was announced yesterday, nearly three years to the day since Sergeant Mick Thompson was killed in a road accident, following a case review.

Mrs Thompson was originally awarded only half of the pension because her husband was killed as he drove to work at his base in Cyprus. Officials said he was not on duty at the time and initially refused to award the full pension to his family. Sgt Thompson had been in the Army for 17 years when he died on his way to work in 2005. He was 38.

The 37-year-old mother had sold her home in Swan Street, Stourbridge,to finance the legal battle and was due to appeal again in November. The relieved widow said: "It's taken three years and it's been a long wait. Mick's accident happened on July 14, 2005, and his funeral was on July 26 so it's three years almost to the day. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Spokesman for the MOD, Paul Leat, said : "We regret the time it has taken to provide Mrs Thompson with a conclusion to this matter." A date is still to be set for the inquest, with paperwork from Cyprus yet to be released to the Black Country Coroner.