THE son of a Plymouth veteran who was involved in nuclear testing in 1956 said the Labour Government must make good on promises that they will ensure justice for those who suffered ill health as a result and finally acknowledge their ordeal.
Michael Burt's father Douglas was a Commissioned Gunner serving on HMS Diana when she was ordered to steam through radioactive fallout from the testing of nuclear weapons off Western Australia in 1956.
Dubbed Operation Mosaic, it was one of a series of nuclear tests which were the subject of a BBC documentary screened this week, called Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal.
The programme saw veterans who were involved in the tests - and their descendents - describe a litany of health complaints, including cancers and birth defects in their offspring, because of exposure to radiation.
Michael's own father died of leukaemia - blood cancer - in 2009, but his death certificate stated it was down to 'natural causes.
Although nuclear test veterans were finally acknowledged with a medal in November 2022, the Ministry of Defence has always insisted the trials were planned with 'meticulous' care and that there is no evidence of 'excess illness' among those involved.
Having watched this week's documentary, Michael said the Labour Government must now fulfil a promise to provide compensation and release blood test records, which would prove the British Government knew of the harm which the tests caused.
"When they were in Opposition they did promise that they would sort this out - Keir Starmer said he met with some of the veterans from the nuclear test veterans association, and promised that if they won the election they would get it sorted out. Of course, after they won it all died a death.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 23, 2024 من The Herald.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 23, 2024 من The Herald.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Traffic and parking concerns over plan for new supermarket
A NEW multi-million pound supermarket could be built in Plymouth within the next four years but residents have concerns about increased traffic and parking.
Rooney's patience pays off with late Gray goal
HEAD COACH HAD CONSIDERED TAKING OFF LATE GOAL HERO
Patriots go down to defeat at Bath
PLYMOUTH Marjon Patriots were in action over the weekend, with a road trip to Bath to take on Bath Basketball.
Concern for Battle as his injury problem continues
'WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT WE DO KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT'
Art out of industry
JO CLARKE EXPLORES THE CAREER OF 20TH CENTURY ARTIST PRUNELLA CLOUGH
The power behind the Old Plymouth Society
CHRIS ROBINSON FONDLY RECALLS DOREEN MOLE, A COMPLETE 'TOUR DE FORCE'
CBI chief hits out at Reeves over tax rises
RACHEL Reeves' Budget caught firms \"off guard\" and will undermine investment and jobs, the head of one of Britain's leading business groups has said.
Bestselling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford dies at 91
BESTSELLING novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford, who wrote A Woman Of Substance, has died at the age of 91, it has been announced.
Ceasefire deal ‘in days'
THE Israeli ambassador to Washington has said a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached \"within days\".
King's Award for city-born child support scheme
SCHEME SUPPORTS CHILD VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
