Could Boris Johnson present the Medal?

Well, here it is, the medal they have all been shouting about; the medal the Government hopes will finally consign Britain's nuclear veterans to the dustbin of history

By Alan Rimmer

It's simple inscription, 'Nuclear Test Medal' conveys nothing about the fire, fury and abject horror of the nuclear bomb explosions witnessed by thousands of UK, Commonwealth and Fijiian servicemen. And, of course, it totally fails to acknowledge the deaths and immense suffering of countless nuclear veterans and their children who were deliberately exposed directly and indirectly to the greatest power in the universe

The ghosts of the men that have gone before, and many who are still alive, will dismiss this medal as an insult, a shiny bauble designed to mask the dark history of denial and cover-ups carried out by the British Government. Their fight for justice will continue no matter what platitudes are showered upon them, and in that crusade fissionline stands four-square behind them. That said, the simple design of the medal with its atomic nucleus, crossed palms of Kiribati and seven-pointed star symbolising the 7 Australian states, displays an uncharacteristically light touch by the Ministry of Defence..

The total absence of glowing mushroom clouds or flowery words is a respectful companion to the silent, uncomplaining bravery of the men who took part.

Brave men don't need to shout about their exploits.

But later this year there will be a lot of shouting as 50 nuclear veterans (or their children) are paraded for the cameras before having the medals pinned to their breasts. It is not known which dignatory will perform this singular honour Hopes that King Charles may be persuaded to step up are probably fanciful The Princess Royal might seem a surer bet, or even Prince Edward.

But whoever is chosen you can be sure the politicians will want to muscle in on the celebrations. Premier 'Dishy Rishi' Sunak, with a general election looming, will want to grab his share of the limelight as will Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer who supported the campaign for a medal

But the one person who probably deserves this honour more than anyone is that well-known hate figure Boris Johnson!

After all it was under his administration and following his personal intervention, that the grey suits that award these medals were forced to act

It would be a delicious irony, as well as a triumph for fair play, if Boris stepped forward to grab all the headlines

In that eventuality, one can only imagine the wails of anguish from the Boris-hating Left. You could probably hear them from the moon!