Keir Starmer is set to convene a meeting with veterans of nuclear tests in the upcoming New Year to address the 70-year-old Nuked Blood Scandal. The Prime Minister personally reached out to campaigners, recognizing their dedication and perseverance in seeking justice after years of advocating for resolution.
The Atomic Weapons Establishment has initiated the process of declassifying a vast number of records related to soldiers involved in Cold War nuclear tests, revealing the extent of official negligence and awareness of associated risks. Approximately 40,000 British and Commonwealth troops participated in the atomic program, leading to a lasting legacy of heightened cancer risks, a tenfold increase in birth defects, and triple the normal rate of miscarriages among their families.
In a letter to John Morris, who served on Christmas Island in 1956, Starmer acknowledged the challenges faced by veterans like him. John, from Rochdale, suffered health issues, including pernicious anaemia, and tragically lost his infant son to cot death. Despite facing wrongful accusations, new evidence surfaced decades later indicating a potential genetic cause for the baby’s death.
Expressing admiration for the veterans’ resilience, Starmer emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by nuclear test veterans. He expressed a desire to engage with their perspectives to ensure proper acknowledgment. John recounted a previous interaction with Starmer, highlighting the Prime Minister’s commitment to supporting the veterans’ cause.
Recent investigations by the Mirror uncovered instances of concealed medical monitoring during weapons trials, with results withheld from personnel records. The disclosure of over 28,000 files and a police review into allegations of official misconduct underscore ongoing efforts to uncover the truth behind the Nuked Blood Scandal.