Ministers are under fresh pressure to grant medals to Britain’s nuclear test veterans after Joe Biden pledged to honour America’s nuke guinea pigs.
The US President announced legislation for an “Atomic Veterans Service Medal” to “honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who are radiation-exposed veterans”.
The plan would cover those who “participated in nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962”.
It adds: “The people of the United States should recognize and remember the contributions of America's atomic veterans for their sacrifice and dedication to our nation’s security, and recommit themselves to supporting our atomic veterans and educating themselves on the role these patriots played in our national story”.
The Mirror has been campaigning for a medal for the UK’s nuclear test veterans.
It is thought around 22,000 men, many of them on National Service, took part in hundreds of nuclear blasts in America, Australia and the South Pacific.
They now report a legacy of rare cancers, a higher risk of miscarriages for their wives, and 10 times the usual rate of birth defects in their children.
Genetic research has proved they have the same level of DNA damage as clean-up workers at Chernobyl.
After the Mirror won them a medal review, last year they were told there was “not enough risk and rigour” in the tests to get a gong.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey has written to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace urging the British Government to follow the White House’s example.
His letter, seen by the Mirror, says: “The contrast between the US and UK could not be greater.
“These legislative protections further isolate the UK as the only atomic test nation with no official recognition or compensation for nuclear tests veterans.
“Over 22,000 British servicemen participated in British and American nuclear tests and clean-ups between 1952 to 1965.
“Many of these veterans were exposed to radiation, leading to they, their spouses and their children suffering from cancers, sterility, miscarriages and birth defects.
“Recognition of our UK atomic veterans is long overdue.”
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “As a veteran himself the Defence Secretary takes the obligations to our personnel extremely seriously.
“He has met with the representatives of veterans and will always be open to reviewing previous decisions, including those taken by the Labour Government when John Healey was a minister.”
Mr Healey held posts at the Treasury and the Communities and Education departments from 2001-10.
