New Zealand: Govt facing claim from nuclear test veterans

Nuclear test veterans in New Zealand today said they plan to issue a claim for damages against the UK government in a British court within three months.

Veterans Association chairman Roy Sefton said the matter has become urgent, as key witnesses in the case are dying.

The association is seeking a compensation deal for local servicemen exposed to British nuclear bomb tests in the 1950s.

Up to 550 New Zealand sailors were involved in Operation Grapple, at the Christmas and Malden islands in 1957 and 1958 while serving aboard the New Zealand navy vessels Pukaki and Rotoiti.

Others were exposed to British tests conducted on the Australian mainland.

The UK has denied liability for any health problems the men and their families may have suffered as a result of their exposure.

Mr Sefton said they want their British lawyers to file the proceedings before May, unless a settlement is reached over the veterans’ claims.

‘‘There’s a real sense of urgency,’’ he said. ‘‘The very people we want to be able to present as witnesses are dying as time goes by.’’

The association’s New Zealand barrister, Gordon Paine, said it is essential that the issue of urgency is highlighted to the British legal team.

‘‘It can be hard when you’re on the other side of the world to appreciate that your clients may be dying,’’ he said.

The veterans believe a settlement outside court is still possible.

While the UK government had huge resources to fight a prolonged court battle, Mr Paine said a loss for it in court could set far-reaching precedents for a whole new range of class actions.

Britain would prefer to avoid that situation, he added.