Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been warned that time is running out to resolve the Nuked Blood Scandal before it costs taxpayers billions in legal fees. The scandal, involving Cold War veterans who fear they were subjected to human experiments during nuclear weapon trials, has been ongoing for decades. Lawyers representing these veterans have repeatedly called on the government to explain the whereabouts of thousands of blood tests taken during the trials, which have mysteriously disappeared from medical records.
A shocking BBC documentary in November brought the issue to the public’s attention, prompting Defense Secretary John Healey to announce an urgent internal review into the missing records. However, sources have confirmed to the Mirror that, despite ministers investigating, they have yet to issue any instructions to government lawyers. This has left veterans with no choice but to take legal action, reported by the Mirror.
John Morris, a veteran whose blood tests are missing and who has been denied a war pension, expressed his frustration: “It’s understandable the government needs some time to investigate. But this has been going on for 70 years, and we don’t accept the MoD didn’t know what the MoD was up to.” He also voiced concern that legal action may be the only way to uncover the truth. “I have faith in Sir Keir, who met us in 2022. We value the co-operation we’ve had. But when are we going to see the results? I worry the only way we’ll get to the truth is with a judge, which will be expensive and long-winded for everyone. I’d like to say Keir, please, meet us again, take charge, issue some instructions, get this sorted before it gets any worse.”
The Mirror previously reported that the estimated cost of compensation for the veterans could exceed £5 billion, more than double the cost of the Post Office Horizon scandal. Following the documentary, veterans launched a legal crowdfunding campaign, which raised over £10,000 in donations. Efforts are now underway to gather health reports for some veterans, which are needed to proceed with court claims.
Human rights lawyer Jason McCue is leading the case and, in September, offered the Ministry of Defence (MoD) an opportunity to settle out of court through a one-year special tribunal. The offer aimed to investigate, compensate, and commemorate the sacrifice of the 40,000 British and Commonwealth troops involved in the nuclear tests. “We asked the MoD to respond by December 31, 2024. It missed that deadline, continuing the pattern of avoidance and delay,” said a spokesman for McCue’s firm.
In January, the MoD was again asked to engage, but no response has been received. “We are now working with veterans to finalize the evidence required to issue formal legal proceedings. If the MoD continues to obfuscate, this evidence will be key to demonstrating the veterans’ case,” the spokesman added.
Campaign group Labrets has had meetings with government officials about the review, while cross-party MPs have met with Veterans Minister Al Carns, who is overseeing an historic document sweep of the archives. However, Parliament has been told that there is no deadline for the review. If formal engagement with the veterans’ legal team does not take place soon, legal claims could be filed as early as this spring.
