Respected celebrities write to Chancellor Gordon Brown urging recognition of Gulf War syndrome and fair treatment for affected veterans.

The British Chancellor, Gordon Brown, has received a letter from Dame Vera Lynn and Sir Jackie Stewart expressing their dislike for the 'appalling' way sick Gulf War veterans are still being treated in the UK.

Dame Vera, the singer who was nicknamed "Forces Sweetheart" for entertaining and supporting troops during WWII, has teamed up with Formula One racing legend Sir Jackie to accuse the Ministry of Defence of "haggling, procrastinating and worse" over the treatment of 6,000 veterans of the first Gulf War who are suffering from war related illnesses that have come to be known as Gulf War syndrome.

The US Congress has approved up to $75m for further research into Gulf War syndrome. The funds being awarded to veteran researcher Dr. Robert Haley.

Gulf War syndrome is as controversial a subject as ever, but last week there was good news for those thousands of veterans suffering from the mysterious illness, as the US Congress agreed to fund further research.

Chief Epidemiologist Robert Haley from The University of Texas Southwest Medical Center in Dallas will receive up to $75m over 5 years to continue research into the cause(s) of Gulf War syndrome. Dr. Haley and his team have been conducting epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory research on the "Gulf War syndrome" and related neurologic illnesses in Gulf War veterans since March 1994. He believes their symptoms are the result of combined exposures to various chemicals in Iraq including pesticides, insect repellents, diesel and JP4 fuels, anti-chemical warfare drugs, and decontamination solutions.