OTLEY'S MP has led a protest outside Parliament today in the fight to get justice for war widows.

Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) was joined by war widows from around the country, including Otley resident Susan Rimmer, and other MPs at the demonstration.

The protest is part of a campaign being spearheaded by Mr Mulholland, in conjunction with the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer, to ensure all war widows receive their pensions.

Currently, those who lost their husbands in service and then remarried between 1973 and 2005 have had to give up their compensation.

Following the demonstration Mr Mulholland led a meeting of all the assembled widows in Parliament, where they shared their experiences.

He and Mrs Rimmer, accompanied by her second husband David, then met Defence Minister Mark Lancaster at the Ministry of Defence to discuss the issue and press the need for a solution.

Mr Mulholland said: "Today was a very moving day.

"War widows who have been treated unjustly and let down spoke about being forced to give up the compensation they were rightly entitled to.

"I want to pay tribute to their courage for protesting outside Parliament today, and I also want to pay tribute to the service their husbands gave to our country.

"I was very pleased to be able to put Susan's case to the Minister, Mark Lancaster MP, but also highlight this injustice on behalf of all those who are in this situation all over the country.

"It was heartening that the Minister clearly recognised it is odd and unfair that, now it is accepted people should not lose compensation following the death of their spouse while serving their country - for remarrying, that some people continue to be penalised for this.

"The Minister said he would look at how they might be able to address this issue, which is very encouraging, so we hope the Government will now find a way ensure justice for all widows and not just some.

"I am extremely grateful that the Wharfedale and Aireborough Observer has pushed this cause, starting with Susan's case, but also now leading to a national campaign - and we will continue to work together until it is successful."

Mrs Rimmer added: "I hope our campaign took a real step forward today.

"I was pleased to meet other war widows from around the country, women who have been through my same situation.

"I was proud to protest alongside these women outside Parliament.

"I was also very pleased with the meeting with the Minister and felt that, as well as listening, he also clearly did understand that this isn't fair.

"He said he would look at how they might be able to address this and we can't ask more than that at this stage."

Between 200 and 300 women currently aren't receiving their pensions because of what Mr Mulholland describes as an 'anomaly' in the rules.

The campaign petition can be signed online at change.org/p/ministry-of-defence-justice-for-war-widows .