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Nuclear veterans involved in the case of AB v MoD [2012] UKSC 9 have announced their intention to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights. The veterans are a number of former British servicemen who claim that, as a result of exposure to radiation during atmospheric nuclear testing that took place in the Pacific region from 1952 to 1958, they have gone on to develop a series of health problems in later life.  The Supreme Court ruled in the Ministry of Defence’s favour in March, deeming the claims to be time-barred.

The European court has to decide on whether to hear the veterans’ claim within six months, and it is hoped that because they applicants are all elderly the case will be heard rapidly. The MoD has always acknowledged a ‘debt of gratitude’ to the veterans but has denied negligence.