Wembley Honour May Cost Injured Soldier £25K.

An injured British soldier who was invited to parade the Carling Cup at Wembley has been told it could cost him his £25,000 insurance payout.


Private Dave Tatlock who was told he would never walk again after being seriously hurt in Afghanistan bravely hobbled onto the pitch in February.

The soldier, from 2 Para, was seen carrying the trophy in front of thousands of fans and TV viewers before the final between Manchester United and Aston Villa.

The following day the insurance firm handling his injury compensation claim blocked the payout and said his claim was being "reviewed".

Pte Tatlock had taken out £56-a-month private cover with Abacus, which specialises in Armed Forces insurance, before being deployed to Afghanistan.

"Some jobsworth somewhere has seen me walk out on to the pitch," he said to the BBC.

"I don't know why they have tried to do it... words cannot express how angry I am."


Pte Tatlock, a Manchester United fan, was left paralysed in a friendly fire incident two years ago.

Shrapnel embedded in his spine when he was hit by 30mm high explosive rounds from an Apache helicopter that missed its target.

The 20-year-old, from Gorton, Manchester, was initially told he would never be able to walk again but thanks to treatment on the nerve damage he now walks with just a stick.

Pte Tatlock has received treatment at a military rehabilitation centre but has no use of his left foot and can only move his right foot slightly.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said in a statement that he was appalled by the insurance company's decision.

"Treating a brave and injured serviceman in this way is an absolute disgrace," he said.

"As a matter of urgency I will be asking the company to explain their crass decision."

Abacus could not be contacted.

I felt sorry for him right up until this line

Gaznandi wrote:

Pte Tatlock, a Manchester United fan,

Saying that, it does cause a dilemma. Part of me thinks if the payout was based on the fact that he couldn't walk, then surely it should be reviewed if he is now able to.

On the other hand, part of me thinks he should have the money regardless anyway due to his bravery and sacrifice for his country. Plus insurance companies take enough of us as it is anyway and try there best not to payout anytime. So it's nice to see when they are getting screwed over