Injured Para says payout in jeopardy over Cup honour

An injured soldier has claimed a £25,000 insurance payout is in jeopardy after he was invited to carry the Carling Cup at Wembley.

Manchester United fan Private Dave Tatlock, of 2 Para, took the trophy on to the pitch in February.

Almost two years earlier he was left paralysed when shrapnel was embedded in his spine in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan. The 20-year-old, from Gorton, Manchester, was initially told he would never walk again but thanks to treatment on the nerve damage he now walks with just a stick.

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Pte Tatlock had been due to receive the payout but has since been told the claim is being reviewed by insurance firm Abacus.

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

The soldier told BBC News: "Some jobsworth somewhere has seen me walk out on to the pitch.

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

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Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said: "Treating a brave and injured serviceman in this way is an absolute disgrace.

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

Abacus could not be contacted yesterday.