Landmark legal ruling against Ministry of Defence

Represented by specialist law firm Coffin Mew, which has an office in Portsmouth, Mr Eaglesham’s victory comes after the MoD’s defence was struck out by the court for persistently failing to comply with its obligations to provide copies of all documents relevant to the case.

The case will now succeed in full, without a defence from the Ministry.

Mr Eaglesham is expected to receive compensation that will run into many millions. Mr Eaglesham contracted Q Fever while on a routine tour of South Afghanistan in 2010.

He initially became ill with flu-like symptoms, but went on to develop Q Fever Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – an illness which has left him profoundly disabled.

Mr Eaglesham argues he should have been given doxycycline antibiotics, which are effective against Q Fever, either as soon as he fell ill or as anti-malarial medication given that it protects against both malaria and Q Fever.

Sue Bowler, partner at Coffin Mew, who is acting for Mr Eaglesham said: ‘Phillip has gone from being a strong fit Royal Marine to someone with very severe disability, all because of contracting Q Fever. It has never been about the money for him, no amount could take away his suffering and that of his family.’