Families of British veterans used as human guinea pigs in 1950s nuclear experiments in the Pacific are likely to suffer genetic defects for generations to come.
The results of a parliamentary inquiry come as 700 surviving veterans are preparing to take the Ministry of Defence to court for compensation.
Between 1952 and 1967, more than 22,000 servicemen from Britain, Australia and New Zealand witnessed hundreds of nuclear explosions in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Most were contaminated to some degree or another by radiation and thousands have died of cancer or given birth to children who are severely disfigured.
A three-day inquiry in the House of Commons disclosed early medical evidence that the radiation from the tests meant that the veterans children were 10 times more likely to have a deformity.
The inquiry, concluded in November but presented to Gordon Brown last month, acknowledged that the veterans' health problems had been caused by the nuclear tests and recommended an interim compensation pay out.
The government has however denied that there is a link between the veteran's health problems and has filed an application that could delay any compensation trial until 2011.
Mervyn Fudge, a partner at Rosenblatt solicitors, who are representing all 700 veterans, said the "delaying tactics" were "a bloody disgrace".
He added: "It is claimed by the MOD that there was no exposure, and that even if there was exposure it wasn't the cause of the injuries and diseases that the veterans suffered.
"These men who were mostly conscripts have been exposed and many have died horrifically. Their wives have had miscarriages and still births, but still the MOD says there is no evidence.
"This application, while it is perfectly justifiable in normal court practice, is morally bankrupt.
"It is a disgrace because it delays the trial by another 18 months which means that a lot more of the veterans will have died. They are using the system to get rid of as many veterans as possible.
"This people of this country should be ashamed of the way the government have treated these men."
A document marked "TOP SECRET" released under the 50-year rule (that after 50 years classified public records are declassified) by the Public Records Office, reveals the government's position in 1953.
"These (nuclear) tests are of the highest importance to departments, since on their results depend the design of equipment, changes in organisation and administration, and offensive and defensive tactics," it states.
"The Navy requires information on effects of various types of atomic explosions on ships and their contents and equipment … The Army must discover the detailed effects of various types of explosion on equipment, stores and men, with and without various types of protection."
In 1956 the British ship HMS Diana was ordered to sail through the radioactive cloud caused by a nuclear explosion on Monte Belle island, 200 miles off the coast of Australia.
Crew members were given only Polaroid sunglasses for protection.
Chairman of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association, Douglas Hearn, was stationed on Christmas Island in 1957, where he witnessed a nuclear explosion.
He said: "You couldn't have said to your officers I don't want to be here. You would have been shot on site. I witnessed five or six bombs from Christmas Island.
"We were sent out there without a clue what we were going to see. Then they told us we were going to witness nuclear explosions. We all knew what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but we were sure we would be OK because of the distance.
"When we saw the first, biggest explosion, there was a feeling of dread among the men. When I saw the first atom bomb I didn't want to see anymore.
"We suffered cuts to our body that wouldn't heal, which now I think were radioactive burns because six to ten hours after receiving them you would be in a feverish state for 20 to 40 hours.
"Hundreds of our children have suffered appalling deformities such as shortened limbs, bone deformities, mental deficiencies, some had their eyes too far apart.
"We are not talking about one or two here, we are talking about thousands like it."
A spokesman for the MOD said: "When compensation claims are received they are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a proven legal liability compensation is paid."
The deadline for nuclear test veterans seeking compensation to be involved in litigation is March 3rd. Those who wish to be involved should approach Rosenblatts solicitors.
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