Ministers were under mounting pressure today to give Britain's nuclear test veterans a medal.

The Mirror has campaigned for recognition for those who witnessed experimental explosions in the 1950s as the UK became a nuclear-armed state.

The Scottish National Party today stepped-up calls for a gong for the “lab rat” heroes.

Armed Forces spokeswoman Carol Monaghan has written to the Prime Minister calling for him to act.

SNP Armed Forces spokeswoman Carol Monaghan

She said: " Boris Johnson must finally step in and give the Christmas Island nuclear test veterans the justice, recognition and compensation they deserve.

“These brave veterans were placed in huge danger by the UK Government.

“They deserve medals for their service and the financial support they need after decades of health problems that have been completely ignored by Westminster.

“It is a shameful injustice that so many veterans have been left feeling they were experimented on like guinea pigs – with thousands of servicemen exposed to nuclear explosions, and ongoing concerns about the impact this has had on their health.

“The Prime Minister must act now.

“There can be no more excuses from Westminster.

“Ultimately, the buck stops with Boris Johnson and he has a personal, moral duty to act."

Heroes have once again been denied a medal

Earlier this month, the Advisory Military Sub-Committee recommended against granting a medal.

The Mirror told how survivors of the Cold War nuclear tests had the support of ministers for finally winning recognition, but the secretive committee overruled them.

Labour leader Keir Starmer united with Tory grandees to demand the PM intervene.

He said at the time: "This beggars belief.

“These servicemen were placed in huge danger, and many have suffered throughout their lives, as a result of their duties decades ago.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer has backed the campaign (
Image:
PA)

In her letter to the PM, Ms Monaghan wrote: “Over 20,000 UK service personnel participated in the British nuclear testing programme in Australia and the South Pacific from 1952 to 1967 where they were exposed to ionising radiation with little or no personal protective equipment.

“The British nuclear test veterans have long campaigned for official recognition of their great and ongoing sacrifice, in the form of a campaign medal, and compensation for health conditions resulting from exposure to the high levels of ionising radiation.

“It is therefore greatly disappointing that the UK is the only country which performed nuclear tests that is yet to formally recognise the contribution of its nuclear test veterans.

Explosions were carried out as the UK developed atomic weapons (
Image:
MSP)

“As a result of the ongoing lack of recognition, many veterans have understandably been left feeling they were experimented upon like lab rats.”

A Government spokeswoman said tonight: “The Nuclear test veterans played a valuable role towards developing a nuclear deterrent that has ultimately kept Britain safe for decades.

“While it falls outside the criteria for medallion recognition which is rightly an independent process that operates to a strict criteria, this in no way diminishes the contribution of those service personnel who witnessed the UK’s nuclear tests.

“The Office for Veterans Affairs will continue to work closely with the Nuclear Test Veterans Association to ensure this special cohort of veterans are looked after."