Newly revealed emails indicate that Government legal representatives were aware of troops being exposed to radioactive fallout, yet this information was not disclosed in court.
A whistleblowing report was sent to senior officials at the Treasury Solicitor’s department in November 2014, shortly after a judge had ordered fresh hearings. However, this crucial data was not shared with the court, leading to the case failing two years later due to a lack of evidence regarding servicemen’s exposure.
Campaigners are awaiting an announcement in Parliament regarding the findings of a two-year review into missing medical records and human experimentation, known as the Nuked Blood Scandal.
Anna Smith, a widow who was battling the Ministry of Defence for a war pension, expressed outrage, stating, “It’s evil. It’s perverting the course of justice. There’s no moral compass. We spent years in court, the grief and the burden of it, the solicitors who spent hours fighting on our behalf, and it was a waste of time. And all these people knew. Why didn’t they say?”
Barry, Anna’s husband, was stationed on Christmas Island in 1959 by the RAF and later developed pancreatic cancer. Despite his health issues, the Ministry of Defence denied his exposure to contaminated areas, rejecting Anna’s claim.
Recent revelations highlighted fallout evidence on Christmas Island, contradicting the MoD’s previous denials of any risks. The fallout was found in various sources, including fish, rainwater, seawater, and the air following nuclear blasts under Operation Grapple.
Emails obtained through Freedom of Information revealed discrepancies in the official position on fallout, prompting further investigation within the MoD. The report, shared among several MoD staff, was eventually forwarded to the Treasury Solicitor’s department for advice.
In a concerning development, it was discovered that potentially crucial documents were not disclosed during legal proceedings, leading to suspicions of perverting the course of justice. The matter has been reported to Thames Valley Police, urging swift action from the Prime Minister.
Although the emails were presented to ministers in March, no official action has been taken yet. A MoD spokesperson clarified that the referenced document was an unfinished draft and not a formal company record, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing veterans’ concerns.