Moulton nuclear test veteran hopes discovery of sensational new evidence will help win fight for justice
A nuclear test veteran hopes the discovery of ‘amazing’ new evidence can finally help win a decades-long fight for justice.
Moulton’s Douglas Hern (85) has been at the forefront of the fight to prove that illnesses experienced by veterans’ and their families were caused by exposure to the radiation following atomic tests.
Last week their cause was furthered when a report was uncovered dating back to 1988 that campaigners say demonstrates what they’ve been saying for decades.
The document was a ‘companion report’ to an official study ordered by Margaret Thatcher’s Government. It was referenced in the study’s footnotes and had an ISBN number but was apparently never published.
Campaigners say it shows veterans were 3.5 times more likely to suffer leukaemia and other cancers - although the Ministry of Defence does not accept this. The MOD also argues the 1988 data was available to see - despite campaigners not knowing about it until it was just published alongside a series of other reports.
After many false dawns, Mr Hern hopes this revelation can spark a conversation that finally leads to justice for veterans and families - including those fighting on behalf of men who have long since lost their lives without seeing the full story come to light.
He said: “I hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel and this does benefit everybody concerned - including those who have sadly gone before us.”
He feels the MOD has been ‘devious’ and that the link between illness and exposure may even have been known before the men flew out. He added: “There’s always been a suspicion and I am not just talking about hearsay.
“That isn’t on the spur of the moment document - it’s probably been sat there for longer. You don’t make calculations and spreadsheets like that in five minutes.”
Mr Hern witnessed five thermonuclear explosions after going to Christmas Island in the South Pacific in the 1950s.
He suffered a series of medical complaints including diabetes and bone spurs since his service – and he lost a daughter at a young age to a rare cancer.
Veterans first started to suspect they were having similar health complaints - among them and their families - in 1985 but have been knocked back in attempts to prove this.
Mr Hern, whose wife Sandie died last year after dedicating herself to the cause, said: “I can’t think what sort of life I may have led without going to Christmas Island. My life has been full of queries, doubts and rebuffs.”
Last week’s document was uncovered by journalist Susie Boniface, who has led a campaign in the Mirror for justice for the veterans. The Mirror said last week that the data shows seven Governments have covered up the truth, something the MOD denies.
The journalist has been working with Labrats International - founded by Alan Owen.
Mr Owen’s father - James Ronald Owen - was involved at Operation Dominic, where the United States conducted tests in the Pacific in 1962. He died in 1994 - having seen 24 detonations in 78 days.
Mr Owen previously lived in Pinchbeck and when he was living in the area met Mr Hern at Baytree Garden Centre and noticed he was a nuclear test veteran. He explained: “I said my dad was one too, and the first thing he said was ‘he’s either ill or he’s dead’! I said I’m afraid you’re right.
“It’s all down to Doug - if I hadn’t met him at the garden centre I wouldn’t have got involved.”
He said he could scarcely believe it when the document was found - but felt the news was bittersweet, with thoughts turning to Sandie and others who have fought the campaign for veterans.
He added: “I am really pleased this is out there now but it’s frustrating that this has been sitting there all that time.
“It’s great that it has now been found and we can take action but we have lost thousands of people since ‘88.
“There was always a sense that there was a wrongdoing - the veterans knew it, they have experienced it and they have tried to fight it. But, for example, people fought for war pensions and were denied.”
His dream is for Doug and his fellow veterans to receive a medal from the Queen to reflect their service.
He added: “Forget compensation, I just want to get some form of recognition. Recognition from the Government to say ‘we were wrong, it shouldn’t have happened’. There’s no reason why they could not do it.
“To be the last country to do so is quite embarrassing.”
An MoD spokesman said: “It is not accurate to suggest or report that the information was not publicly available as it was shared with anyone who wished to see it.
“We thank and recognise everyone who participated in the British nuclear testing programme, they played a valuable role in developing a nuclear deterrent that has kept Britain safe for decades.”
The report was mentioned at Prime Minister’s Questions last week by Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey to gasps in the Commons. She called the situation a ‘national scandal’ and said the High Court and Commons may have been ‘inadvertently misinformed’ in 2008 when told that only 159 men were exposed to dangerous radiation ‘when today’s data shows exposure numbers were actually 2,314’.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked her for bringing ‘new facts’ to the attention of the Commons and promised a ‘proper meeting’ to discuss the matter further.