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Ex-minister claims MoD withheld nuclear test veterans' records

Created at 3 Sep · 8:16 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Former veterans minister Tobias Ellwood claims the Ministry of Defence deliberately withheld information about the medical records of Cold War nuclear test veterans. He believes ministers were briefed to deny evidence to help veterans, delaying until they passed away.

Key Numbers

25,000UK armed services, scientists, and civilians involved in nuclear testing
1952-1967Years of the UK nuclear testing programme

Who's Involved

Tobias Ellwood
Former veterans minister who claims MoD withheld information
Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Government department accused of withholding information

↳ Why This Matters

The allegations raise serious questions about the government's transparency and historical handling of veterans' health issues related to nuclear testing, potentially impacting compensation and recognition for affected individuals.

Key facts

  • Former veterans minister Tobias Ellwood alleges the Ministry of Defence (MoD) deliberately withheld information regarding nuclear test veterans' medical records.
  • Ellwood claims ministers were briefed to deny having evidence that could assist these veterans.
  • Veterans argue that their medical histories, including blood and urine test results, could prove health damage from nuclear exposure.
  • The MoD stated it conducted an extensive records discovery exercise and published its findings.
  • The UK's nuclear testing programme involved up to 25,000 service members, scientists, and civilians between 1952 and 1967.

Former veterans minister Tobias Ellwood has accused the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of deliberately withholding information concerning the medical records of veterans who participated in the UK's nuclear testing programme.

Ellwood told BBC Newsnight that he now believes some information he provided to Parliament, based on MoD briefings, was inaccurate. He suggests that ministers over the years have been instructed to state they had no evidence to assist nuclear test veterans, as a strategy to delay until the veterans pass away.

Veterans involved in the programme, which took place between 1952 and 1967 at sites in Australia and the Pacific, have long campaigned for the release of their medical histories. They argue that blood and urine test results could help them demonstrate that their exposure to nuclear radiation caused severe health problems, including various cancers, heart disease, and generational birth defects.

An MoD spokesperson stated that the government had undertaken an "extensive records discovery exercise" to address questions about the programme, publishing its findings in full. The spokesperson added that "tens of thousands of documents" were examined concerning blood and urine testing policies, and that the findings were published after engagement with ministers, veterans, and community groups. The MoD also expressed gratitude to the "more than 22,000 Service personnel, scientists and civilians" who contributed to the programme.

Frequently asked questions

Tobias Ellwood claims the Ministry of Defence deliberately withheld information about the medical records of nuclear test veterans and that ministers were briefed to deny evidence that could help them.

Veterans believe their medical histories, including blood and urine test results, could help prove that nuclear exposure has caused them severe lifelong health problems.

The MoD stated it conducted an extensive records discovery exercise, published its findings, and examined tens of thousands of documents related to the nuclear testing programme.

The programme occurred between 1952 and 1967 at sites including Australia and several islands in the Pacific Ocean.

What Happens Next

01Further investigation into the MoD's record-keeping and briefing practices regarding nuclear test veterans.
02Potential calls for parliamentary inquiry into the alleged withholding of information.

How It Developed

Former veterans minister Tobias Ellwood claims the Ministry of Defence (MoD) deliberately withheld information.
Ellwood believes ministers were briefed to state they had no evidence to help nuclear test veterans.
Veterans have campaigned for the release of medical histories to prove health damage from nuclear exposure.
The MoD stated it conducted an extensive records discovery exercise, publishing its findings.
The MoD examined tens of thousands of documents regarding blood and urine testing policies.
The MoD acknowledged an enduring debt to personnel involved in the nuclear testing programme.

Sources

T1
MoD withheld information about nuclear test veterans' records, ex-minister claimsBBC News

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