Joss hits out at injured soldiers' treatment

Updated 16.27 Mon Apr 21 2008

Keywords: government, diana, city salute, soldiers, prince william, prince harry, joss stone

Soul singer Joss Stone has hit out at the Government's treatment of injured army personnel.

Stone vented her anger as she announced she was helping "good friends" Princes William and Harry to raise money for injured servicemen and women.

"They can go to war and fight for our Queen and country but if they get their leg blown off they come back and are dealing with the NHS" - Joss Stone

She is performing at a gala event after the City Salute pageant, which the Princes are patrons of.

She said: "They can go to war and fight for our Queen and country but if they get their leg blown off they come back and are dealing with the NHS."

Stone said the NHS is the "best thing" about the UK, but said soldiers should have a right to private treatment paid for by the Government.

Stone, who performed at last year's Concert for Diana, said of her backing for City Salute: "I'm doing it because I support the cause and also because they (William and Harry) are good friends.

Stone said of her relationship with the Princes: "We don't hang out at the pub or anything, but we get on well and although they are the poshest people I know, they are so down to earth. It seemed like a nice thing to do."

The May 7 pageant will include fly-pasts and marches in front of St Paul's Cathedral.