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Closed Award a medal to British personnel involved in any nuclear testing program

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It is 60 years since Operation Grapple Y, when Britain exploded a 2.8 megaton bomb at Christmas Island in the South Pacific with the help of 22,000 servicemen.

The British Nuclear Testing Programme ran between 1952 and 1967, it was the largest Tri-Service operation since the D-Day landing.

These men bore witness to the most devastating weapon this country ever produced, yet have laboured ever since under an oppressive cloud of official denial.

It is time this nation repaid the debt of honour it owes to all British Nuclear Veterans who participated and their families. Every other nuclear power has recognised its nuke vets and Britain must, in all good conscience, do the same.

Please show your support for an official medal for the nuclear veterans by signing the petition below.

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  • Petition closed

  • Government responded to this petition

    The Government continues to recognise and be grateful to all Service personnel and civilians who participated in the British Nuclear testing programme.

    Read the response in full

    Their selfless contribution ensured that the UK was equipped with the deterrent we needed during the dangerous years of the Cold War.

    The Ministry of Defence has asked the Cabinet Office if The Committee on the Grants of Honours, Decorations and Medals (The HD Committee) would consider looking afresh at the previous information, and examine any new evidence presented by campaigners. If the Committee decides that a medal is appropriate recognition for veterans, a recommendation will be made to Her Majesty The Queen. It is envisaged that if the recommendation is supported any subsequent medal would be made available to all those who witnessed the nuclear tests.

    Ministry of Defence

  • Government will respond to this petition

    This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 18 November 2018.