SHAMEFUL
Exclusive:
'Smoking gun' proves nuclear veterans' medical records were covered up by MoD
The Mirror has uncovered a secret order for MoD staff to remove medical records of troops used in Cold War radiation experiments, as campaigners call for an investigation into possible crimes
Evidence points to a cover-up at the highest levels of government, and there are calls for a public inquiry
Reporter
19 Sep 2024
Orders to hide the medical records of British troops involved in Cold War radiation experiments came from the office of a junior defence minister, the Mirror can reveal.
A shocking new document reveals a “special directive” to dispose of health data from servicemen who took part in nuclear weapon trials in Australia and the Pacific.
Their health was monitored with radiation dose badges, blood tests, urine analysis and chest x-rays. But only the dose badges were ever made public. They were defective. Most showed nil radiation and were used to refuse war pensions. Earlier this year the Mirror reported some badges were falsified in the 1960s despite recording doses capable of causing cancer.
During the trials the Atomic Weapons Establishment collected biological data and kept a “special health register” on troops which has never been found. Afterwards it archived documents relating to the tests on a secret database, locking thousands away from view under legal exemptions relating to national security. That decision was reviewed and confirmed in 2014 and has been subject to a “rolling review” ever since.
In 2018, Parliament was told the MoD held “no information” about blood testing of troops. But in 2022 the Mirror uncovered a 1958 memo discussing the “gross irregularity” of blood tests on Sqn Ldr Terry Gledhill , who flew through the mushroom clouds.
During the trials the Atomic Weapons Establishment collected biological data and kept a “special health register” on troops which has never been found. Afterwards it archived documents relating to the tests on a secret database, locking thousands away from view under legal exemptions relating to national security. That decision was reviewed and confirmed in 2014 and has been subject to a “rolling review” ever since.
In 2018, Parliament was told the MoD held “no information” about blood testing of troops. But in 2022 the Mirror uncovered a 1958 memo discussing the “gross irregularity” of blood tests on Sqn Ldr Terry Gledhill , who flew through the mushroom clouds.
Sqn Ldr Terry Gledhill was 'sniff boss', and was first into the mushroom clouds before ordering his men to follow
(Image: Jane O'Connor)
Gledhill believed assurances from his superiors that the missions were safe - but later suffered decades of mystery illness
(Image: BNPS)
Keir Starmer urged to deliver on promise of justice for victims of British nuclear tests
As a result, Parliament was forced to declassify and publish 4,000 pages hidden at the AWE. They showed orders were given, and followed, for thousands of troops to be sampled over more than a decade. They were supposed to be duplicated for servicemen’s medical records and presented no risk to national security whatsoever.
Freedom of Information requests show that AWE officials accessed the database 283 times after we revealed the Nuked Blood Scandal – an average of once every three days. Through it all, Tory ministers told the public it contained no useful medical information.
When the files were published in May, the Tory minister who reviewed them told Parliament they did “not contain any medical records for any former service personnel”. Yet the Mirror found blood and urine test results, discussions about the health of veterans, and completed medical forms, in the files. The AWE has been unable to say if they were ever provided to the troops involved.
Today, veterans report huge gaps in their medical records while next of kin are routinely denied access. Their families have a legacy of cancers, miscarriages and birth defects in their children and grandchildren.
Keir Starmer urged to deliver on promise of justice for victims of British nuclear tests
As a result, Parliament was forced to declassify and publish 4,000 pages hidden at the AWE. They showed orders were given, and followed, for thousands of troops to be sampled over more than a decade. They were supposed to be duplicated for servicemen’s medical records and presented no risk to national security whatsoever.
Freedom of Information requests show that AWE officials accessed the database 283 times after we revealed the Nuked Blood Scandal – an average of once every three days. Through it all, Tory ministers told the public it contained no useful medical information.
When the files were published in May, the Tory minister who reviewed them told Parliament they did “not contain any medical records for any former service personnel”. Yet the Mirror found blood and urine test results, discussions about the health of veterans, and completed medical forms, in the files. The AWE has been unable to say if they were ever provided to the troops involved.
Today, veterans report huge gaps in their medical records while next of kin are routinely denied access. Their families have a legacy of cancers, miscarriages and birth defects in their children and grandchildren.
Campaigners are calling on the Prime Minister, who met them and backed their campaign in 2021, to order an inquiry
MPs tell veterans they were in cover-up
A MoD source confirmed to the Mirror that lawyers acting for the government during court battles with veterans were not aware of the Terry Gledhill memo, which referenced the orders for the blood testing programme. Had they known, they would have been duty-bound to share it with a judge.
In 1995 veterans told the European Court of Human Rights their medical records were hidden behind claims of national security. Government lawyers denied it and Strasbourg ruled the claim “speculative”. The AWE has now confirmed the only evidence it gave to the ECHR about blood tests included a letter claiming it was not necessary.
The Care Act 2014 makes it illegal to withhold, falsify or destroy medical records. It would be unlawful for someone to misapply a national security exemption of the Public Records Act to hide information that would otherwise be published.
Anyone who performs a public function unlawfully while knowing or expecting it to cause harm, risks prosecution for misconduct in public office. It carries a maximum life sentence. Failing to disclose material evidence to a court can also mean legal action can be restarted - with any payouts multiplied as a result.
Blood tests would be definitive proof of radiation injury, guaranteeing compensation to those affected. They would also be vital to plans for Britain surviving a nuclear attack or accident.
A MoD spokesman praised the veterans for contributing to national security. He added: “Ministers are looking hard at the issue, including the question of records. They will continue to engage with individuals and families. As part of this, the Minister for Veterans, Alistair Carns, has already met with Parliamentarians and a nuclear test campaign group to discuss their plans further.”
A MoD source confirmed to the Mirror that lawyers acting for the government during court battles with veterans were not aware of the Terry Gledhill memo, which referenced the orders for the blood testing programme. Had they known, they would have been duty-bound to share it with a judge.
In 1995 veterans told the European Court of Human Rights their medical records were hidden behind claims of national security. Government lawyers denied it and Strasbourg ruled the claim “speculative”. The AWE has now confirmed the only evidence it gave to the ECHR about blood tests included a letter claiming it was not necessary.
The Care Act 2014 makes it illegal to withhold, falsify or destroy medical records. It would be unlawful for someone to misapply a national security exemption of the Public Records Act to hide information that would otherwise be published.
Anyone who performs a public function unlawfully while knowing or expecting it to cause harm, risks prosecution for misconduct in public office. It carries a maximum life sentence. Failing to disclose material evidence to a court can also mean legal action can be restarted - with any payouts multiplied as a result.
Blood tests would be definitive proof of radiation injury, guaranteeing compensation to those affected. They would also be vital to plans for Britain surviving a nuclear attack or accident.
A MoD spokesman praised the veterans for contributing to national security. He added: “Ministers are looking hard at the issue, including the question of records. They will continue to engage with individuals and families. As part of this, the Minister for Veterans, Alistair Carns, has already met with Parliamentarians and a nuclear test campaign group to discuss their plans further.”
Timeline of a scandal
1952 First orders for blood tests
1959 ‘Special directive’ to remove medical records
1960s Radiation doses falsified
1985 Death data from first medical study suppressed
1995 MoD denies national security used to hide records
2013 Supreme Court rules against veterans without seeing blood tests
2014 High Court rules out war pensions without evidence of blood tests
2018 MoD claims to hold “no information” about blood tests
2022 Terry Gledhill tests uncov-ered. PM agrees it may be a crime
2023 Veterans report medical records missing. AWE says it has “no evidence” of blood testing
2024 AWE publishes 4,000 pages of evidence. MoD admits government lawyers unaware.
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