Theresa May Wants Investigation Into Dead Soldier's £120k Pension

The Prime Minister is calling for an investigation after a soldier's £120,000 Army payout was paid to his friend instead of his widow.

Charlotte Hughes, 27, did not receive her husband Andy's death-in-service benefit, despite being named in his will as the sole beneficiary.

The payout in its entirety went to Andrew Cooke, a former colleague from the Intelligence Corps, who was nominated by Sergeant Hughes to receive the money while serving together in Afghanistan in 2013.

Mrs Hughes at the time declined Sergeant Hughes' offer to nominate her, as their relationship was in its early stages.

The couple married in August last year, before Sergeant Hughes' death in a car crash last October.

Theresa May has written to Mrs Hughes to say she has called for an investigation.

In a letter, the Prime Minister said:

"I was deeply sorry to learn of your husband’s tragic death and would like to offer my most sincere condolences."

"I was also very sorry to read of the difficulties you have faced in regard to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme."

Mrs May has reportedly asked the Minister for Defence Veterans, Mark Lancaster, to investigate the issue for himself.

In response, an MOD spokesperson said:

"Families are an integral and valued part of the Armed Forces community and we are committed to supporting them."

"We cannot comment on specific cases, however officials are working with legal and policy teams to review the current processes to ensure that our personnel’s wishes are fulfilled."