Budget 2015: Fifer encouraged by support for nuclear test veterans

A Fife Christmas Island veteran believes the announcement of financial support for a small group of nuclear test veterans could set the precedent for future legal challenges.

David Whyte, 58, from Kirkcaldy, was sent unprotected into the blast site just hours after the weapons were detonated on the atoll in the late 1950s.

He has been involved in legal disputes with the Ministry of Defence and in 2012 successfully forced it to supply him with information about radiation levels he and thousands of veterans were exposed to.

The Chancellor announced £25 million of help for veterans, including those who were present at Christmas Island.

However, Mr Whyte says the group that will benefit represents only a small number of nuclear veterans, but that the sum of money suggested the Government was willing to compensate those affected.

He said: “The organisation the money will go to only has 200 people at most. However, it could be beneficial for the rest of us as if that sum of money is going between 200 people then we should also be entitled to some compensation.”