A Christmas Island veteran from Fife has been denied access to information about the levels of radiation received by New Zealand research ships during nuclear testing in the 1950s because it “may harm international relations” between the UK and New Zealand.
Dave Whyte, 76, of Kirkcaldy, recently placed a freedom of information question on the level of radiation the New Zealand Royal Naval ships Pukaki and Rotoiti received whilst patrolling Christmas Island during the British nuclear tests.
A scientific study carried out for the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association in 2007 concluded that the crews of these ships received three times the normal level of “chromosomal translocation”, leading to long term genetic damage.
However, the Ministry of Defence has now told him that while it does hold the exposure information, it is to be withheld because the request “requires consultation with a foreign government and disclosure would prejudice international relations”.
Mr Whyte, who has now raised his concerns in a letter to the New Zealand prime minister, told The Courier he believes the MoD’s position is further evidence of a “cover-up” to protect the civilian nuclear industry.
He wants to determine the level of radiation activity required to cause the degree of genetic damage New Zealand servicemen received.
He said: “The MoD inform us we received little or no extra radiation, yet it has been discovered the crews of these ships received three times the normal level of chromosomal translocations which will be passed from generation to generation, according to the Professor Al Rowland, Massey University Study.
“If the crews of these ships received very little radiation I wonder why there appears to be a cover-up?
“If the crews of these ships received a very small amount of radiation (advocated by the Ministry of Defence) then there must be dangers from places like Dalgety Bay and areas where the cooling reactors of nuclear power plants are being cooled by sea water or inland lakes.
“We know the level of chromosomal translocations these naval personnel received, but we are being denied the knowledge of the level of radiation required which produced them.
“I believe, going by Ministry of Defence information, that it takes very little radiation to cause these genetic defects and everyone living close to nuclear power plants are in danger from the radiation (albeit miniscule) that is gradually being released.
“Perhaps it is time for all persons living within a mile radius of these radioactive areas to be given a cytogenetic blood examination to discover the effects radiation has had on their health.”
Mr Whyte, who has been fighting for years to discover “the truth” about exposure to radiation during the British nuclear tests of the 1950s, recently accused the Ministry of Defence of forging his signature on medical records.
He said a copy of a medical examination he was purported to have signed when he was discharged from the services in 1961 does not carry his signature or accurate service history and is further evidence of an MoD “cover-up”.
Mr Whyte recently won a freedom of information victory over the MoD and says he can now “prove beyond doubt” that he was exposed to massive levels of unsafe radiation during British nuclear tests.
The MoD has said it is unable to discuss individual cases but says it recognises the “debt of gratitude” owed to servicemen and women who took part in the nuclear tests whilst helping to keep Britain secure at a difficult time in terms of nuclear technology.