Feb 24 2005

By Alex Wright

A FORMER naval serviceman who claims he was used as a human guinea pig in nerve gas tests at a secret research centre more than 40 years ago is seeking an apology from the Government.

Ken Chandler, of Flint Hill Close, Dorking, allegedly took part in experiments for mustard gas at the Porton Down base in Wiltshire in 1961 along with thousands of other "volunteers".

On Tuesday, Mr Chandler, 61, joined other former servicemen, who handed a petition to Downing Street last year, to lobby MPs at a House of Commons debate.

He said: "What we are trying to get from the Government is recognition, an apology and possible compensation for those who have really suffered."

Wiltshire Police have looked into about 550 cases, he said. "In about 1995 one of the men came out and made a complaint against the Porton Down establishment in general and made allegations that deaths had occurred."

One high profile case was that of Ronald Maddison, an RAF engineering worker who, an inquest ruled, was the victim of a unlawful killing in 1953 after experiments.

The Government has issued his family an apology.

Mr Chandler was only 17 and serving as an ordinary Royal Navy seaman in Portsmouth when he was subjected to tests.

"What they used to do in the services was to advertise for people to do tests at Porton Down into common cold research, but when we got there we found we were doing experiments with gas, mainly nerve gas. Mostly I was treated with mustard gas," he said. "The thing was, I didn't volunteer to do it - I was sent and I was also under age when I went.

"They dropped tiny droplets of liquid on our arms. Some of them were obviously placebos. We sat in the chamber with gas masks on and while they were waiting for a reaction we were playing dominos or cards round a table.

"My skin became blistered and then we were given a piece of gauze and instructed to puncture the blister and rub in ointment. I passed out and woke up in an infirmary.

"I was in there for two or three days and given more injections which were obviously antidotes.

"I came back to Dorking on leave and I felt terrible. I went to see the doctor who sees all the servicemen who said I had just got flu and some diarrhoea. Ever since then I have suffered from migraine."

Mr Chandler, who has since seen his doctor for various complaints, added: "They can't give me a definitive answer on the causes. "I was advised to write to Porton Down for my records and there was no record of me ever going there.

"I asked my GP for my medical records, but there were none for this period."

He said of Tuesday's debate: "Ann Widdecombe demanded an apology from the Government in the form of compensation. We are hopeful that a Bill will be passed to say that we will get a public inquiry.

"The Porton Down Veterans Group will hold a meeting with the Ministry of Defence and they are going to put a few points to them. If they are still dragging their feet I believe our solicitors are going to lodge a law suit against them."