British Nuclear Test veterans seek justice
20/04/2005
I would like to thank you and your colleagues for the kindness shown to myself and my wife. I class myself as very fortunate to have met such kind and caring people.
Raymond, HertfordshireAlexander Harris represent veterans of the British Atmospheric Nuclear Testing programme conducted in the 1950's and 1960's at various sites in the southern hemisphere.
A group of over 900 veterans are pursuing legal action for personal injuries and losses they have suffered arising as a result of exposure to low level radiation whilst participating in the British Atmospheric Nuclear Testing Programme.
In 2002 the Legal Services Commission (LSC) took the decision to fund preliminary investigations into the possibility of actions against the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
In November 2004 a letter detailing the injuries and allegations was sent to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) who are expected to respond by the 30th June 2005.
The legal proceedings will be served by the 22nd of April and the MoD have agreed to adjourn these proceedings until such a time as the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has provided a decision upon continued funding of the litigation.
We continue to correspond with the LSC to resolve the issues of continued funding for the litigation.
The veterans are contacting their local MP's to raise awareness of their case and to highlight the difficulties they are experiencing in bringing a satisfactory conclusion to this matter on which they have campaigned for so long.
David Harris senior Partner at Alexander Harris solicitors said: "This is a client cohort for whom time is running out. They are an aging group many of whom are unwell. They merely seek recognition of the injuries they have suffered. They have fought for some time and it adds insult to injury when you realise that US Veterans who were injured as a result of being present at the Marshall Islands Nuclear Tests have received compensation."
"Our clients are a very well mannered cohesive group. They are incredibly tolerant and patient. They have met many challenges and have had to watch their friends and service colleagues die from cancers which they believe are a direct result of the radiation exposure they endured. They deserve justice and they and their families deserve some answers."
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