Press release

Porton Down - Agreed Press Statement by Ministry of Defence, Thomson Snell & Passmore and Leigh Day & Co solicitors

The Ministry of Defence and Leigh Day & Co and Thomson Snell & Passmore, solicitors for a group of Porton Down veterans, are pleased that an amicable settlement has been reached with respect to claims by the group arising out of their participation in trials that took place during the Cold War, designed to ensure that the UK had the defensive and deterrent capabilities required to respond to the threat of the use of chemical weapons against the UK. 

This settlement is without admission of liability by the Ministry of Defence and involves the payment of a global sum of £3 million in full and final settlement of all claims made by the group, together with an apology by the Department. 

The Claimants’ solicitors said that the settlement represented a fair deal for the claimants and welcomed the constructive approach shown by the Ministry of Defence in reaching the settlement.