At last, probe to aid heroes’ families
OUR nuclear test heroes finally have hope over genetic defects plaguing their families. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson Williamson has told officials to find out how the rate of birth abnormalities among the veterans’ kids can be researched.
Labour’s campaigning deputy leader Tom Watson said: “This is fantastic. The veterans’ big worry is their children’s health, some 155,000 of whom live with a shockingly high rate of illness and disability.
“The battle now is to ensure the Ministry of Defence looks at this properly.” Britain tested nuclear bombs in Australia and the South Pacific between 1952 and 1967.
Around 1,500 survive of 22,000 who took part in tests. Mr Watson is fighting for them to get a medal.