MOD under fire for compensation delays
The Ministry of Defence is at the heart of a long-running battle over compensation, which stems from the fallout from nuclear testing in the 1950's and according to one veteran, both the MOD and the government are creating unnecessary delays in finalising the process.
In the coming days the final ruling, which will determine whether the servicemen exposed to danger during the tests will be eligible for injury compensation. According to figures released in the intervening period, one-in-three of the servicemen involved developed cancer or related health problems.
One veteran noted that the governments decision to order an enquiry days before the verdict could be seen as a delaying tactic.
"We should get the results of the court case very soon and it does concern me that the Government is just playing for time. I hope this is not a token gesture – the inquiry is going to take a long time and that is putting a lot of the veterans’ lives at risk.” he said.
Updated on 4/22/2009