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Atomic tests ruling is ‘too late’

Atomic tests ruling is ‘too late’ BBC News 6 June 09

An atomic test veteran from Manchester said a ruling by the High Court to give ex-servicemen the right to sue the British government has come too late.

Peter Gilbody, 70, of Withington, was involved in clearing up nuclear bomb debris in Australia in 1958. He has since been diagnosed with skin cancer.

About 1,000 servicemen blame their ill health on Britain’s involvement in nuclear tests in the South Pacific……………………..

He said: “I used to bury radioactive material… I had a mate who washed down our vehicles and planes and he got it terrible.

“Widows have lost husbands very early in life, children have got leukaemia.

“Compensation is a bit late now, it won’t do me any good now will it?”

In January the MoD tried to halt compensation claims, arguing that they had been made far too late to go ahead.

Many atomic veterans are terminally ill and since the original hearing seven claimants have died.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Merseyside | Atomic tests ruling is ‘too late’

June 6, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, UK | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive