From the desk of Ken McGinley President of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans' Association

Here's me with my old pal (now sadly deceased) actor Tony Booth, father of Cherie Blair, the former PM Tony Blair's wife

The picture was taken about 15 years ago, and as you can see we got along famously. Tony was always great company and I loved his Scouse humour

I first met him under very sad circumstances when his wife, the Coronation Stret legend Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner, was dying from cancer in Manchester. Tony was at her bedside almost constantly as Pat faded away. I travelled down from Scotland to see Pat for the last time. She was a wonderful woman and a great supporter of us veterans. She became our d f k b h lf the shared hallways between 10 and 11 Downing Street. Brown wouldn't allow the Blairs to have the same carpet According to Blair, Brown tried to humiliate him in other ways, like by making sure he and Cherie were put behind a pillar at the funeral of their old mentor John Smith

It really was petty the way they treated each other. But I don't have much sympathy for either of them When they needed the nuclear veterans in the 1980s they both pledged to give us justice, but as soon as they got into power, they both reneged.

I don't know what power the Ministry of f e had over them, but they seem to know how to clip the politicians' wings. And I certainly don't have much hope for the Starmer administration if it, as predicted, takes power next year.

Tony told me that Pat often berated him about Tony Blair's dcision not to support the nuclear veterans, despite promises to do so when he was in Opposition. But Blair always said there was nothing he could do because the Ministry of Defence had him by the 'short and curlies!'

Tony Booth had remarried by the time this picture was taken and Gordon Brown had taken over as Prime Minister And that's another story I was a shocked to learn about the total animosity between Brown and Blair. Tony revealed that they couldn't stand each other and the petty squabbles they had in Downing Street shocked everyone.

Tony said they even argued about the carpet in

A big thank you to everyone who has contacted me with offers of support and help. Many are outraged about what has been happening in the BNTVA and ask what they can do to help Well all I can say is carry on and keep the faith! By that I mean never forget the reasons why this organisation was formed in the first place: to achieve justice. Justice for the men who died in agony because our government wanted the H-Bomb and would stop at nothing to get it. And justice for our children, grandchildren and those yet to be born who will forever be cursed by the genetic effects of fallout. Too many of my compatriots and their children have settled for a shoddy compromise of charity cash and a medal A stairlift and a freebie at Pontins is not my idea of the Promised Land.

One final word: Join me in wishing Ceri Marsh and Michelle Harding in their new venture BREACHED. They are amazing women and deserve every success