Prime Minister Tony Blair has rejected claims that his government is arrogant.

But the disabled former soldiers, sailors and airmen at Gifford House in Worthing will take some convincing.

The Government has demanded every resident of the Queen Alexandra Hospital-Home has his own room - totally against the residents' wishes.

They much prefer to share rooms with fellow veterans, allowing them to chat about old times and share a joke.

Gifford House applied to the Government for an exemption and was turned down. Now the charity must invest £5 million in a new complex, creating major disruption for people who are frail and ill.

This is no way to treat men, some severely disabled, who served Queen and country.

Why didn't the Government consult the previously-contented residents of Gifford House before forcing its will on them?

Perhaps Mr Blair can explain.