Porton Down death inquest to open

Mr Maddison died at Porton Down in 1953

A long-awaited second inquest is to open into the death of a soldier during nerve gas trials at Porton Down more than 50 years ago.

Ronald Maddison was 20 when he died after he was exposed to chemicals at the Ministry of Defence laboratories in Wiltshire in 1953.

Last year the Attorney General ruled a new inquest should be held.

The hearing will be held at the former Trowbridge Magistrates Court, Trowbridge, Wiltshire from Wednesday.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf said the inquest was needed in the interests of justice.

The inquest will hear evidence from experts, servicemen and eyewitnesses. It is expected to last six weeks.

Lawyers representing Lillias Craik, the sister of Leading Aircraftman Maddison, said other veterans of Porton Down will be watching the inquest closely.