Military gassed me -- claim

TOM SMITHARD

02 March 2006 18:58

A Norfolk pensioner who has suffered ill health after being gassed by the military during notorious tests in the 1950s said that he would be pressing for compensation following a recent high court ruling.

John Shaw, of Sunninghill Close in Bradwell, claimed that the military "conned" him by pumping him with sarin gas while he thought he was helping find a cure for the common cold.

The RAF veteran said he has suffered splitting headaches every three or four days since taking part in the experiments in 1954 at Porton Down, a secretive military base on Salisbury Plain.

He is now pressing from compensation following a judicial review last month into the 2004 inquest of a serviceman who died after being dabbed with sarin at the base. It upheld the conclusions of the inquest ruling that Ronald Maddison died in 1953 by unlawful killing - opening the door for 500 surviving veterans of the experiments to push for compensation.

Mr Shaw, who moved to Bradwell from Spain last year having fallen in love with Norfolk while stationed at RAF Neatishead during the 1960s, said he had been conned into taking part in the tests. He had volunteered to go to the base while on national service having spotted a notice offering to double the wage of those willing to help with experiments into curing the common cold.

"Things started normally with blood and eyesight tests but then they took us to a gas chamber," he said. "Two hours later we'd all gone blind, and stayed that way for the next nine days.

"We were all terrified but none of us dared ask questions. We just did as we were told. And for 50 years I thought I was still helping find a cure for the common cold."

Mr Shaw only learned the truth while living in Spain, when he received a letter from Wiltshire police. He said: "They said they were investigating what happened at Porton Down in those years. When I told them what had happened to me they told me all the evidence pointed to being gassed with sarin."

Sarin is an extremely toxic chemical, deemed a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations, which attacks the nervous system by making muscles relax.

Initial symptoms after being exposed to the gas include a tightness in the chest, followed by twitching and jerking, and ultimately suffocation.

"I know there are veterans a lot worse than me," said Mr Shaw. "These headaches have plagued me for 50 years but many others have suffered cancer. But I was conned by the Ministry of Defence and at the least I want them to apologise to me."

Mr Shaw is claiming for misrepresentation and believes he is entitled to a pay-out by the military for 50 years of suffering. He has embarked on a high-profile media campaign, including appearances on Radio Norfolk.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The MOD acted in accordance with the highest ethical standards of the day. Anyone concerned should contact the Porton Down Volunteers Group."