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{{For|the British 1957 atomic weapons tests|Operation Antler}} {{For|the British 1957 atomic weapons tests|British nuclear tests at Maralinga#Operation Antler}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
'''Operation Antler''' was a 1999 police investigation into experiments conducted on humans at the British government's ] research establishment between 1939 and 1989. Several cases were sent to the ] but none proceeded to criminal prosecutions.


In July ] the UK ] opened an investigation into allegations of malfeasance at ] Chemical and Biological Research Establishment. As a consequence of these preliminary investigations the scope of the inquiry was broadened into a major inquiry named '''Operation Antler'''. In July 1999, the ] opened an investigation into allegations by a former serviceman of ] at Porton Down Chemical and Biological Research Establishment. As a consequence of these preliminary investigations, the scope of the inquiry was broadened into a major inquiry named Operation Antler.


The inquiries established that a number of the participants in the Service Volunteer Programme claimed to have been tricked into taking part in experiments. Some also claimed to have suffered long-term illness or injury as a result of the experiments. The inquiries established that a number of the participants in the Service Volunteer Programme claimed to have been tricked into taking part in experiments. Some also claimed to have suffered long-term illness or injury as a result of the experiments.


The investigation covered the period from ] to ] and has lasted for five years. Its 13 members interviewed over 700 ex-servicemen or their relatives. The British Government provided the constabulary with an additional 870,000 pounds towards the costs. The investigation covered the period from 1939 to 1989 and lasted for five years. Its thirteen members interviewed over 700 ex-servicemen or their relatives. The British Government provided the constabulary with an additional £870,000 towards the costs.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 2004 |title=Operation Antler |url=http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/antler/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219034509/http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/antler/ |archive-date=19 February 2007 |website=Wiltshire Police |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>


At least 20,000 servicemen participated as volunteers in testing at Porton Down and records survive from ] onwards. The ] was the peak period for testing, and much of this concerned ], with as many as 8,000 volunteers being exposed. After ] testing shifted to ]s, and used around 3,400 volunteers (although they may not all have been exposed). In the ]s smaller scale experiments took place with non-lethal agents such as ] and ]s, and more recently testing focused on countermeasures such as ] which is a pre-treatment for nerve agents. At least 20,000 servicemen participated as volunteers in testing at Porton Down, and records survive from 1942 onwards. The ] was the peak period for testing, and much of this concerned ], with as many as 8,000 volunteers being exposed. After 1945, testing shifted to ]s, and used around 3,400 volunteers (although they may not all have been exposed). In the 1960s, smaller scale experiments took place with non-lethal agents such as ] and ]s, and later testing focused on countermeasures such as ] which is a pre-treatment for nerve agents.


The constabulary developed 25 cases for possible prosecution, of which 8 were forwarded to the ]. Subsequently, the CPS concluded that there would be no prosecutions of scientists involved in the tests, although the decision will be reviewed following the result of the inquest into the death of a volunteer, ], in November 2004. The constabulary developed 25 cases for possible prosecution, of which eight were forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service. Subsequently, the CPS decided that there would be no prosecutions of scientists involved in the tests. The CPS decision was reviewed following the verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest in November 2004 into the death on 6 May 1953 of volunteer ]. In June 2006, the CPS confirmed that there would be no prosecutions.<ref name="NorthernEcho">{{cite news | url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/792164.poison_gas_scientists_wont_be_charged/ | title=Poison gas scientists won't be charged | work=] | date = 13 June 2006}}</ref>

==References==

<references />


== External links == == External links ==
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* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040401013336/http://portonveterans.8m.com/ |date=1 April 2004 }}


] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 1 April 2023

For the British 1957 atomic weapons tests, see British nuclear tests at Maralinga § Operation Antler.

Operation Antler was a 1999 police investigation into experiments conducted on humans at the British government's Porton Down research establishment between 1939 and 1989. Several cases were sent to the Crown Prosecution Service but none proceeded to criminal prosecutions.

In July 1999, the Wiltshire Constabulary opened an investigation into allegations by a former serviceman of malfeasance at Porton Down Chemical and Biological Research Establishment. As a consequence of these preliminary investigations, the scope of the inquiry was broadened into a major inquiry named Operation Antler.

The inquiries established that a number of the participants in the Service Volunteer Programme claimed to have been tricked into taking part in experiments. Some also claimed to have suffered long-term illness or injury as a result of the experiments.

The investigation covered the period from 1939 to 1989 and lasted for five years. Its thirteen members interviewed over 700 ex-servicemen or their relatives. The British Government provided the constabulary with an additional £870,000 towards the costs.

At least 20,000 servicemen participated as volunteers in testing at Porton Down, and records survive from 1942 onwards. The Second World War was the peak period for testing, and much of this concerned mustard gas, with as many as 8,000 volunteers being exposed. After 1945, testing shifted to nerve agents, and used around 3,400 volunteers (although they may not all have been exposed). In the 1960s, smaller scale experiments took place with non-lethal agents such as LSD and glycollates, and later testing focused on countermeasures such as pyridostigmine bromide which is a pre-treatment for nerve agents.

The constabulary developed 25 cases for possible prosecution, of which eight were forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service. Subsequently, the CPS decided that there would be no prosecutions of scientists involved in the tests. The CPS decision was reviewed following the verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest in November 2004 into the death on 6 May 1953 of volunteer Ronald Maddison. In June 2006, the CPS confirmed that there would be no prosecutions.

References

  1. "Operation Antler". Wiltshire Police. May 2004. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007 – via Internet Archive.
  2. "Poison gas scientists won't be charged". The Northern Echo. 13 June 2006.

External links

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