Officials have been called upon to act as whistleblowers to address the enduring scandal in British history. Government employees have been encouraged to utilize the protections offered by the new Hillsborough Law to disclose the truth about radiation experiments on military personnel before the law takes effect. The plea was made by Mayor Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester at the Labour Party conference, emphasizing the necessity for all Whitehall personnel to understand the impact of these experiments on veterans and their families.
Burnham urged individuals with knowledge of the scandal from their time at the Ministry of Defence or in the armed forces to come forward and speak out using the provisions of the parliamentary bill. The Mirror has been advocating for veterans who allege they were used as “guinea pigs” in Cold War nuclear tests for four decades, despite the Ministry of Defence challenging them to provide evidence and engaging in costly legal battles.
In 2023, evidence of a widespread blood testing program was discovered, with results concealed behind national security at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. Ministers have now authorized the release of thousands of classified files, but inquiries about the reasons for their classification and requests to meet Keir Starmer have been met with obstacles.
At a separate event, Burnham expressed concern that veterans are currently facing a “live cover-up” and warned of the potential for a cover-up similar to the Hillsborough tragedy if a public inquiry is initiated. Nuclear campaigners have proposed a one-year special justice tribunal with limited costs and agreed outcomes to uncover the truth and provide swift justice for the surviving 2,000 veterans, whose average age is 87.
Campaigner Alan Owen mentioned positive private meetings with ministers but expressed disappointment at the lack of public commitment. Steve Purse, who has been striving to access his father’s medical records to understand his family’s genetic issues, criticized the Labour Party for making empty promises and failing to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister.
The ongoing efforts aim to ensure justice for the aging nuclear test veterans and seek accountability for the injustices they endured.