Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell has called on the Government to recognise the sacrifice made by nuclear test veterans and to compensate them for the harm caused to them. More than 20,000 UK forces personnel were close to the test sites in Australia and the South Pacific. Some collected samples, ran laboratories or transported radioactive material. Many did so without any protective clothing. Since the 1980’s the evidence has been clear which links the tests to rare cancers and birth defects.

In a letter to the Defence Secretary Alan Campbell has called on the government to accept responsibility for the harmful effects on service personnel and to honour our debt to them and to pay compensation. Britain is the only western nuclear power which still refuses recognition or compensation.