A Christmas Island veteran from Fife, who is continuing his fight for “the truth” about exposure to radiation during the British nuclear tests of the 1950s, has accused the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of forging his signature on medical records.
Dave Whyte, 76, of Kirkcaldy, says 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.
He remains adamant the whole situation is a “cover-up” to protect the civilian nuclear industry.
Mr Whyte took the MoD to court last year for refusing to supply him with information about radiation levels he and thousands of veterans were exposed to while serving in the armed forces.
The MoD initially said it did not hold the information Mr Whyte sought and could not send it to him under Freedom of Information legislation. But, following a legal contest at the Tribunals Court in London, the MoD admitted the exposure records did exist and sent them to him.
His London solicitors Rosenblatts have passed the records to experts for analysis.
Mr Whyte is continuing to press the MoD for information on “true radiation doses” recorded on film sensor badges for entry to ground zero just hours after the 1958 atomic test blasts.
He said the latest development was “proof” the MoD wanted to “conceal the truth”.
He said: “When a person leaves the armed forces they undergo a medical examination to discover if any ailment they suffer from was attributed to their service. This is then used if any person makes a claim on medical grounds at a later date.
“The release medical examination report that the Ministry of Defence have produced and sent for my future court hearing is a forgery the signature on the document does not resemble mine.”
An MoD spokesman said he was unable to discuss this individual case but added: “The Ministry of Defence recognises the debt of gratitude we have to the servicemen who took part in the nuclear tests. They were important tests that helped to keep this nation secure at a difficult time in terms of nuclear technology.
“The Supreme Court ruled in March 2012 in favour of the MoD that the claims brought by nuclear test veterans were time barred and declined to allow the claims to proceed under the statutory discretion.”