23. A person is to be regarded as a surviving eligible partner of the deceased if the deceased left no surviving spouse or civil partner, but the person satisfies the Defence Council that at the time of the deceased’s death—
(a)their relationship was exclusive, committed and long term;
(b)their relationship was substantial;
(c)they were not prevented from (as the case may be) marrying or forming a civil partnership; and
(d)either the person was financially dependent on the deceased or they were financially interdependent.