MoD withheld information about nuclear test veterans' records, ex-minister claims
Former veterans minister Tobias Ellwood claims the UK Ministry of Defence deliberately withheld medical records from veterans who participated in Cold War-era nuclear tests. Veterans argue these records are essential to proving that radiation exposure caused their long-term health issues.
Why it matters
The allegations suggest a systemic cover-up regarding government accountability for the health of military personnel exposed to hazardous conditions.
Image source, Newsnight Image caption, Tobias Ellwood claimed ministers had been briefed to say they had no evidence to help nuclear test veterans
Former veterans minister Tobias Ellwood has said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) deliberately withheld information about the medical records of Cold War veterans who oversaw nuclear tests.
Ellwood told BBC Newsnight he now believes some information he gave to Parliament about the UK's nuclear programme, based on MoD briefings, was "a complete lie".
Veterans have campaigned for the release of their medical histories, arguing blood and urine test results could help them prove that nuclear exposure damaged their health.
An MoD spokesperson said the government had conducted an "extensive records discovery exercise" to address questions about the programme, with its findings published in full.
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