By Jenny Clarke
11:52am Thursday 25th November 2004
SPEAKING out against a "massive military cover-up", Chingford man Brian Elton expressed relief after an inquest ruled last week that an airman was unlawfully killed at Ministry of Defence (MoD) laboratories.
Mr Elton, a survivor of the Porton Down testing centre and a member of the Porton Down Veterans Support Group, described the ruling at the inquest into Ronald Maddison's death as a "landmark victory".
Mr Maddison, a Leading Aircraftman, died at the age of 20 after sarin, a powerful nerve toxin, was applied to his arm while he was stationed at Porton Down in 1953.
The original inquest ruled that his death was caused by misadventure, and it has taken his family more than 50 years to get justice.
Mr Elton said: "This inquiry was very harrowing. A lot of disturbing facts came to light.
"The MoD people were obviously very nervous.
"When I heard the result I just felt incredible relief. This will help the family of Ronald Maddison finally to get some compensation."
Coroner David Masters heard evidence from medical experts and witnesses during the 64-day hearing at Trowbridge Magistrates Court, Wiltshire. Mr Elton made several trips to Wiltshire during the six months.
He said: "We feel that there has been a massive cover-up but now the way has been paved for other survivors and families to take up further cases.
"The police have been very helpful, they launched a £2.8million investigation but were unable to take it further with the Crown Prosecution Service because of a lack of records."
Mr Elton will be writing to Mr Maddison's sister Lillias Craik to pass on his regards.
The support group will be working with lawyers and will advise members who may wish to launch proceedings of their own.
Mr Elton added: "I am going to consider whether I'll be taking my own case any further. My phone didn't stop ringing after the news was announced, and at the moment we're all over the moon. We'll be considering our options over the next few weeks."
Anyone who may be able to help the Porton Down Veterans Support Group with fundraising can contact Mr Elton on 8524 2409.