A woman who alleges her ex-husband lied about being injured in a suicide bombing has welcomed plans to prosecute those who pretend to be war heroes.

Irene Baillie states soldier Danny Hutchison told her he had been near the explosion which killed four marines from 45 Commando in Afghanistan in December 2008.

Ms Baillie went on to marry Mr Hutchison, but says she later discovered he had fabricated his involvement in the incident and had in fact been injured in a road accident.

The former soldier rejected his ex-wife's claims about duping her and said he was considering legal action over them.

MPs gathered on Friday to debate plans to make it illegal for "Walter Mitty types" to claim a false military record and the wearing of medals they are not entitled to.

The private members' bill received strong cross-party support.

Ms Baillie, from Broxburn in West Lothian, welcomed the move.

She said: "I thought I was married to a wounded soldier. I thought I was married to this hero. Turns out he was nothing like that. He was a liar, he was a cheat and he was a con artist."

Ms Baillie said Mr Hutchison was wearing medals on their wedding day.

"It's like me wearing my necklace. I like folk to look at my nice necklaces and jewellery. Danny was wearing those medals as 'yeah, look at me, look what I've done' and it was all fake," she said.

"I've been very angry because I was duped. I'm a reasonably intelligent woman and I've been duped by this character. It's ridiculous that anybody can be... and if I can be pulled in by this, anybody can."

Gareth Johnson MP said: "Not only is it insulting but it also undermines genuine veterans who have put their neck on the line for our country and yet they see themselves being insulted by people who are Walter Mitty types if you like who haven't actually been heroic but are claiming to do so in order to curry favour or win respect in some kind of way."

The private member's bill will move to the committee stage, taking it a step closer to becoming law.

Mr Hutchison rejected the statements made by Ms Baillie, stating he was considering legal action over them.

He said: "I never once tried to con any one. As for Irene, she knew I was hurt but from a army road crash in 2002. She used it to gain favours etc.

"The medal ribbons I wore were [on their wedding day] my Bosnia, Afghan and Jubilee medals. I gained them through my 13 year service. I am not a non-veteran."