Keir Starmer has committed to meeting with victims of Britain’s radiation experiments after 435 days of their initial request. The Prime Minister made this pledge after being pressed by a BBC reporter to honor his promise to nuclear veterans that their cause is supported by the Opposition.
Expressing sympathy for the victims, Starmer acknowledged the injustice they have faced and assured that he would meet with them by the end of the year. The meeting was sought by campaigners to address the Nuked Blood Scandal, following revelations of human radiation experiments conducted on military personnel during Cold War weapons tests.
Government officials, ministers, and lawyers had long denied the existence of such programs, even in legal and parliamentary settings, by concealing blood and urine test results. Thames Valley Police is currently conducting a major review into allegations of widespread misconduct related to these experiments.
The Mirror brought the scandal to Starmer’s attention in September 2023, prompting him to request updates on the investigation. Despite previous requests for a meeting from the LABRATS campaign group, Starmer had not responded until now.
In response to the pressure and viral video highlighting Labour ministers’ promises of compensation, the PM expressed his commitment to follow up on the veterans’ request for a meeting. Veteran John Morris, affected by health issues from his involvement in the tests, expressed hope that the PM would engage with them, while LABRATS founder Alan Owen proposed a special tribunal solution for the veterans’ grievances.
The veterans, now with an average age of 87, seek resolution and are prepared to engage constructively with the government. They hope to facilitate a dialogue with the PM to avoid costly legal battles and address the long-standing grievances of those affected by the radiation experiments.