NUKED BLOOD: Defence Secretary urged to investigate

Allegations of an official cover-up of nuclear veterans' medical records should be urgently investigated, Parliament has been told.

A documentary set to air on Wednesday that four government departments may be involved in misleading repeated court cases brought by the veterans over decades.

Their families claim to have been left with a legacy of rare medical conditions, miscarriages and birth defects, which are highlighted in the new film.

As the revealed yesterday, some of those involved are known to be senior Whitehall figures currently working in government, and veterans are to present their evidence.

Yesterday Defence Secretary John Healey was urged in the to take charge of the Nuked Blood Scandal and investigate the claims.

Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey praised him for his previous support of the nuclear veterans but added: "He may be concerned by a report in the Daily Mirror today that claims incorrect testimony and incomplete documentation was provided by civil servants, and given to judges, in repeated court cases brought by nuclear veterans over decades."

She added: "So can the Secretary of State investigate these claims urgently, and report back to the House?"

Neither the Defence Secretary nor Veterans Minister Al Carns responded to the question. Instead junior minister Maria Eagle was given the task of replying.

She said: "I can assure the honourable lady that my honourable friend, the Minister for Veterans, has met with nuclear test veterans to establish a new relationship to ensure we have consistent and productive dialogue, and I know that he's committed to exploring the concerns raised about access to medical records."

She added: "I am sure that progress will be able to be made."

The Mirror reported yesterday that government lawyers gave evidence under oath to the High Court in 2008 claiming troops were not medically monitored during the weapons programme. Declassified files also showed Foreign Office and staff giving official responses to a European Commission of Human Rights case, claiming no medical records were withheld on the grounds of national security.

Both assertions are now known to be untrue, with 4,000 pages of records about blood and urine tests uncovered at the Atomic Weapons Establishment where it was kept on a secret database. Lawyers acting for the veterans have warned the Prime Minister he risks the scandal reaching Downing Street if he does not act.

* Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story will air on BBC2 at 9pm on Wednesday