Media Enquiries

Our team is here to provide journalists with the latest news and information about the BNTVA. For media enquiries, please contact us at office@btva.com

LATEST NEWS

Medal Recognition for Nuclear Test Veterans 

Since 2018, the BNTVA has supported our patron, Sir John Hayes MP CBE, in seeking a medal to be awarded to the UK nuclear test veterans for the part they placed in these Special Operations. This statement of recognition is an important step for many veterans after decades of rejection from the government, and they have not yet been officially recognised for their participation in the nuclear tests. The BNTVA unsuccessfully applied for medallic recognition in 2012/13, and again in 2019 after Theresa May called for the Advisory Military Sub-Committee to be established.

TThe veterans endured just over a year-long wait after this submission by Alan Owen and Susie Boniface of the Daily Mirror (Susie has supported the nuclear test veterans through the Mirror for many years). The Chair of the BNTVA received the unfavourable result on 9 December, explaining that the application didn’t meet the ‘risk and rigour’ criteria of the Committee Advisory-Military-Sub-Committee-Terms-of-Reference-2019-1-1.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk). Ceri replied to Dr Charles Winstanley with the following letter early on 11 December, and has heard that this letter will be considered by the AMSC in January. 

Following this response CLICK HERE around seventy MPs from all political parties have rallied behind Sir John Hayes to push for a medal to be awarded. Questions have been asked at Cabinet Questions by Lee Rowley MP in November, and Carol Monaghan in December concerning the award of a medal for the nuclear test veterans.  Sir John Hayes has written to the Prime Minister, and will apply for a debate on the medal award after recess ends on 7 January, and the House of Commons sits.