10:40am Monday 24th March 2008
A PORTON Down veteran from Andover has welcomed a government announcement that it will consider claims for compensation up to 30 June this year.
Former servicemen took part in experiments at the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Chemical Defence Estab-lishment at Porton Down from the 1940s to 1980s.
The chemical agents tested on the servicemen included sarin and mustard gas.
The veterans say they were not informed about the nature of the chemical agents to which they were subjected before taking part in the experiments, nor the risks associated with them.
Many believed they were helping in the quest to find a cure for the common cold.
It has only been over the last decade that the veterans have learned of the chemical agents to which they have been exposed.
Mr Derek Clifton, a Porton Down veteran from Andover yet to receive compensation, said: "I am delighted with theannouncement.
"This is not just welcome news for me but for all Porton Down veterans.
"I hope that the Government and the Ministry of Defence now take steps to compensate the remaining veterans quickly."
Solicitors Leigh Day and Co, in conjunction with Thomson Snell and Passmore, obtained £3 million in compensation for injured veterans earlier this year.
Since the announcement of this settlement Leigh Day has been approached by a large number of other Porton Down veterans who were not included in the previous settlement and have therefore not received any compensation.
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