On the 23rd of July we published a blog regarding the infiltration of the Nuclear Test Veterans Groups by Norcross. We asked the UK Government for comment.
Evidence passed to us showed that the UK Government, including personnel at Norcross who were responsible for the issuing of War Pensions, clearly showed that an employee's husband who was a member of the NTV Group was used as a 'spy' to obtain information from the test veterans regarding their plans.
Please read the full article here:
This included wording such as:
'We should consider if there is some way in which
we could seek to spike Mr McGinley's guns'
The documentation contained clear evidence that a member of staff in Norcross was using her husband who was a member of the NTV Group to spy on them:
The NTV Group was also discussed during management meetings, including discussing bomb hoaxes:
The full bundle of documents was sent to the UK Government, this is their response:
"We have reviewed the correspondence shared and it appears only to demonstrate necessary government processes in response to a campaign, including discussion of security considerations, engagement with relevant stakeholders and communications regarding plans to respond to queries."
Nothing is mentioned about using a spy to infiltrate the NTV Group, using a Norcross employee's husband to obtain information relating to the campaign. Just 'Necessary Government Processes'.
Conclusion
People always ask me us why we work with such a small dedicated team? This is the answer, our team is trusted and worked extremely hard to obtain the NTV Medal through the #lookmeintheeye campaign and we have a great working relationship.
This response shows that the UK Government will go to any lengths to infiltrate an organisation and will attempt to cause trouble within the organisation, attempt to split the group, cause division. For many years, we have had suspicions around the intent of certain individuals within the groups and again after a fantastic Remembrance weekend, with unbelievable coverage across the world on TV, Radio, Social Media and Newspapers the Social Media comments immediately started, causing trouble and division.
Listen to the campaigners for #HillsboroughLawNow, they will tell you of the standard pattern of misinformation, division tactics, lies and cover-ups. It is well documented that all of these tactics have been used against many campaigners including the Post Office Workers.
It is time for #HillsboroughLawNow, a duty of candour for the faceless Civil Servants who run our country, those who make decisions and are never brought to justice for their actions, those who for 70+ years have denied all responsibility for the harm of thousands of servicemen and the continued problems their families are experiencing.
We have sent evidence to Veterans UK which has been published in the British Medical Journal regarding ionising radiation, new evidence of Asbestosis in Nuclear Test Veterans. The latest PHE report showing increases in cancer, suicide rates higher than the general population. The answer 'SILENCE', nothing. These new studies show that there is an effect, they are studies which are correctly undertaken, by established professionals in their field of expertise, yet the government ignores them. This despite informing us that when new evidence is published, they will review the guidance for War Pensions.
We are not alone, the Gulf War Veterans again have evidence, their calls for help and support are being ignored. It is time for the UK Government to admit that they are responsible, admit that they harmed these men, continue to harm their families and start talking with the veterans groups, not blocking them on social media, and start replying to their letters and emails. Perhaps a change of government will change the narrative, but whilst the Civil Servants are running the Ministry of Defence, it will take a strong Minister to make it happen, lets hope that the Labour Party has those Ministers and they keep their promises made to the Nuclear Veterans.
The community continues to hold the UK Government to account and the case to force the UK Government to release medical records has reached it's first milestone, work is underway on the case, you can find out more about the case and help by sharing or donating the Crowd Funder page. https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/nuclear-veterans-case/
We have lost so many great campaigners who fought for truth and justice, fought for their families. Our message to the UK Government (who do read this blog), no matter how many fall, thousands more will rise to continue the fight until full recognition is achieved and the truth is told.