'Tell us the truth' says nuclear test veteran's son

CALL FOR LABOUR TO DELIVER ON PLEDGE

- ANDY PHILLIPS

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.