Project Merlin: Unlocking Britain’s Nuclear Secrets

The University of Liverpool and Research England Policy Fund
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Academic Dr Jon Hogg, investigative reporter Susie Boniface and special guests explore the biggest declassification of nuclear secrets in British history. Each week they examine one of 28,000 newly released files, made public after decades of campaigning by atomic veterans seeking recognition. Through expert analysis and first-hand testimony, they reveal the human cost of Britain's Cold War nuclear programme and its lasting impact on people, politics and society. All Historic documents are Crown copyright, openly licensed and names have been redacted.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 5. The Cincinnati Experiments

    William Russia was a family man raising his grandchildren in the projects of Cincinnati when he contracted lung cancer, and unwittingly became one of the last subjects in a horrifying human radiation experiment conducted by US doctors, and believed to have been settled in the 1990s. Now research in the top secret Merlin database has found a link to the British military which was sharing information about the gruesome testing with allies, and requesting more. Susie and Jon discuss their findings with William’s granddaughter Toilynn O’Neal, and what it may mean for UK veterans fighting the government to access their own medical records with solicitor Oli Troen. All the historic documents shown onscreen or in credits are Crown copyright and likewise usable under open licence, with personal data redacted.

    Ep 5. The Cincinnati Experiments

  2. Jul 15

    Ep 4. Operation Hurricane

    Once upon a time, it was necessary to have a weapon that could unleash hell. After American atomic scientists won the arms race, Britain was frozen out and decided to make one of her own. A project run on a shoestring in total secrecy led to a massive naval flotilla travelling to the Monte Bello Islands off the north west coast of Australia. Eric Waterfield was one of the Royal Engineers among them, and recalls his experience of the mission codenamed Operation Hurricane. Author and journalist Paul Grace shares his own discoveries about the project from Australian archives, and what he found on a recent trip to the bomb site which is now a wildlife haven where humans are warned not to stay too long. Jon and Susie share a document from the Merlin archives with never-before-seen images and biological experiments on plants, animals - and humans. All the historic documents shown onscreen or in credits are Crown copyright and likewise usable under open licence, with personal data redacted.

    Ep 4. Operation Hurricane

  3. Jul 8

    Ep 3. The World’s Biggest Bomb

    When the Soviet Union detonated the 50-megaton Tsar Bomba weapon in 1962, the world was horrified at its immense size and power - but relieved when it seemed that there was limited radioactive fallout. Now research in the Merlin database has found that a secret Whitehall committee knew toxic dust was blowing across the British Isles, and decided not to tell anyone. Special guests Alice Shadbolt and Dr Chris Hill from the University of South Wales discuss the discovery of the new document, and what it means for our understanding of the events around the decision to explode the world’s biggest bomb. Historian Dr Jon Hogg and investigative reporter Susie Boniface introduce their ground-breaking research project at the Centre for People’s Justice at the University of Liverpool. After 70 years of fighting for the truth about their exposure to radiation at Britain’s nuclear weapons tests, veterans and families were resigned to injustice. After Susie uncovered a secret blood testing programme, hidden being national security at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, she was able to force the declassification of 28,000 top secret records. But getting to the bottom of the Nuked Blood Scandal was an impossible task, which is where the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the university, stepped in. With funding and a team of volunteer students they are now starting to uncover the truth. Susie recalls the moment when the scandal unfolded, and they discuss how the project works with students Elliot Stephenson and Sarah-Jayne Stroud. All the historic documents shown onscreen or in credits are Crown copyright and likewise usable under open licence, with personal data redacted.

    Ep 3. The World’s Biggest Bomb

  4. Jul 1

    Ep 2. Lab Rats

    Campaigners and nuclear descendants Steve Purse and Alan Owen join Jon and Susie to discuss the 70-year fight for the truth about what happened to their dads at the UK’s nuclear weapons tests. David Purse and James Owen served at the same time, but 4,000 miles apart - one at Christmas Island in the Pacific where he witnessed 24 hydrogen bombs in 78 days, and another in the Australian Outback at Maralinga, where scientists were testing what would happen if weapons were involved in an accident. Both share stories about family illness, bereavement and birth defects which they fear are connected to nuclear radiation, and the struggles they’ve had accessing their fathers’ medical records. Susie and Jon reveal a shocking document from the Merlin database which links their fathers’ experiences together for the first time. All the historic documents shown onscreen or in credits are Crown copyright and likewise usable under open licence, with personal data redacted.

    Ep 2. Lab Rats

  5. Jun 24

    Ep 1 - The Merlin Project

    Historian Dr Jon Hogg and investigative reporter Susie Boniface introduce their ground-breaking research project at the Centre for People’s Justice at the University of Liverpool. After 70 years of fighting for the truth about their exposure to radiation at Britain’s nuclear weapons tests, veterans and families were resigned to injustice. After Susie uncovered a secret blood testing programme, hidden being national security at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, she was able to force the declassification of 28,000 top secret records. But getting to the bottom of the Nuked Blood Scandal was an impossible task, which is where the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the university, stepped in. With funding and a team of volunteer students they are now starting to uncover the truth. Susie recalls the moment when the scandal unfolded, and they discuss how the project works with students Elliot Stephenson and Sarah-Jayne Stroud. All the historic documents shown onscreen or in credits are Crown copyright and likewise usable under open licence, with personal data redacted.

    Ep 1 - The Merlin Project
  • 5 Episodes

About

Academic Dr Jon Hogg, investigative reporter Susie Boniface and special guests explore the biggest declassification of nuclear secrets in British history. Each week they examine one of 28,000 newly released files, made public after decades of campaigning by atomic veterans seeking recognition. Through expert analysis and first-hand testimony, they reveal the human cost of Britain's Cold War nuclear programme and its lasting impact on people, politics and society. All Historic documents are Crown copyright, openly licensed and names have been redacted.

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