Press release

Government gives deadline for Porton Down compensation claims

The Government has informed lawyers representing the Porton Down veterans that they will consider further claims for compensation up to 30 June 2008. 

Former servicemen participated in experiments at the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Chemical Defence establishment at Porton Down, Wiltshire from the 1940s-1980s.  The chemical agents tested on the servicemen included sarin and mustard gas.

The veterans state that they were not informed about the nature of the chemical agents to which they were subjected before participating in the experiments, nor the risks associated with them.   Many believed they were assisting 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.

Thomson Snell & Passmore, in conjunction with Leigh Day & Co, was able to obtain £3 million in compensation for injured veterans earlier this year.  Since the announcement of this settlement both solicitors have 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. 

Alan Care of Thomson Snell & Passmore said “After a decade of litigating these claims it has been a long road for the veterans, many of whom are elderly and frail. I hope that this announcement will lead to all the Porton Down veterans receiving compensation quickly. It is crucial however, that those veterans who have not so far come forward do so without delay." For more information please contact Alan Care on 01892 701219.