Smith faces fury over deafness comments

DEFENCE Minister Michael Smith is facing a furious row with the Army after being accused of making grossly insensitive comments over deafness claimants.

The minister, who is to scrap an out-of-court scheme for deafness claims, said he had little sympathy for injuries suffered by some claimants.

“I have the old-fashioned view if you have managed to escape cancer and heart disease and all you have to do is turn up the television or radio a little louder, then you have not done too badly,” Mr Smith said.