Court ruling gives new hope to Kingswinford atomic veteran (From Stourbridge News)

Court ruling gives new hope to Kingswinford atomic veteran

8:30am Thursday 4th August 2011 in News

A KINGSWINFORD Royal Navy veteran says a ruling by the Supreme Court has given new hope to British servicemen fighting for compensation after they were exposed to nuclear blasts during the Cold War in the 1950s.

Retired police chief inspector Jim Pratt is one of 1,011 'atomic veterans' waiting on legal wrangling to find out if they will be awarded a payout - or an apology - by the Ministry of Defence for the ill-health they have suffered since they were exposed to massive doses of radiation during tests in the south Pacific and Australia.

Top London law firm Rosenblatt Solicitors has been representing the veterans for more than three years - with the battle for compensation last year taking a disappointing turn when nine out of ten test cases were refused a full trial following an appeal by the MoD.

However, a new ruling by the Supreme Court on July 29 has given the veterans permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal's judgement that nine of the ten test cases are time barred.

Rosenblatt Solicitors say the decision is a "significant step forward but there is still a long way to go".

Solicitor Neil Sampson said: "We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision and hope the appeal can be heard as soon as possible, so the nine cases can proceed to full trial. Too much time and money has already been wasted by the Ministry of Defence in pursuing technical arguments, while ignoring the real issues of concern, that of the welfare of the UK’s atomic veterans.

The Supreme Court ruling relates to the nine test cases only (out of a total of 1,011 involved in the wider action), the other 1002 claimants - of which Mr Pratt is one - will proceed to the High Court in any event.

He said last Friday's decision was a "positive step" in the case and he is hopeful the result of the test cases appeal, expected towards the end of the year, will give an indication as to whether the claims will finally be taken seriously. But with tens of veterans dying each year - it's a race against time.

Mr Pratt said: "Veterans aren't looking for huge settlements - what they're really looking for is admission that this happened - to show some sort of appreciation of the fact that we were subjected to this totally as guinea pigs. We deserve some recompense if for nothing other than the worry we've suffered."

The 74-year-old grandfather, of Ploverdale Crescent, is one of a group of survivors from the crew of British warship HMS Diana which sailed through a radiation cloud after from blasts on the Monte Bello island, 40 miles off western Australia, carried out in May and June 1956 when Britain was trying to match Soviet and US nuclear technology.

Mr Pratt, who - along with his crewmates - was given just sunglasses and overshoes for protection from the fall-out, says he has suffered from debilitating skin condition psoriosis and irritable bowel syndrome ever since.

Solicitor Mr Sampson said: "We are still the only country involved in atomic tests yet to provide compensation and benefits to our veterans and widows. Britain is at odds with USA, France,China, Russia, and Canada.

“This is not just about compensation. The veterans want to know what really happened to them and want some recognition of their personal sacrifice for the security of this country.”