Suffolk man seeks compensation after nuclear tests

Posted 08/06/2009

A Bury St Edmunds man is hoping to claim for compensation after he became ill as a result of his work.

Martin Scowcroft participated in a nuclear testing programme in the South Pacific back in the 1950s, but has subsequently developed health problems such as prostate cancer.

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, he believes this is because he was exposed to dangerous levels of radiation during the tests.

However, he has admitted that he is unsure whether compensation claims from him and fellow veterans will be successful.

“We seem to have been given the go-ahead to sue the government,” Mr Scowcroft commented.

“But it could take up to three years – by that time half the claimants could be dead.”

Another retired serviceman, Peter Barnard, added that many of his peers have suffered “real pain” since the tests were carried out.

He told the Scunthorpe Telegraph that the Ministry of Defence has to accept the need to help these people and compensate them accordingly.