Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed news that a local nuclear veteran finally received his Nuclear Test Medal after years of Government delay.
Mr Morgan has been working with local nuclear veteran, John Jones, backing a campaign for these veterans to be awarded an official medal for their service.
Veterans of the nuclear tests have long fought for official recognition from the Government, with those who served at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted having been omitted from receiving a medal.
The Government finally announced a recognition scheme in November 2022, 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon. The scheme recognises military, civilian, and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s and 1960s, who are now eligible to apply for a medal for their service.
Mr Morgan supported John in applying for and securing his Nuclear Test Medal and is calling on other constituents who may be eligible to get in touch.
Some 22,000 people are eligible for the medal. However, according to campaigning group Labrats, only 3,000 people had made an application for recognition.
Commenting Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan said:
“It should not have taken decades for our nuclear test veterans to receive the recognition they deserve. These veterans risked their lives and their health for our national security and for that we owe them so much.
“That’s why I want to encourage all those eligible to apply for the Nuclear Test Medal to do so.
“It has been a pleasure to work with John, to share stories, and witness him finally receive much deserved recognition from the Government for his service.”
The city MP has a strong record of standing up for veterans across our city, including lobbying the government on housing quality; campaigning to raise awareness of veteran ID; and similarly working with Fighting with Pride to secure LGBT+ veterans the compensation they deserve.
