Explosives tests 'badly planned'

A MINISTRY of Defence scientist died following a blast during top secret explosives tests which were inappropriately planned and appeared to be inadequately organised.

Terry Jupp, who worked for the MoD's Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in Essex was involved in explosives tests aimed at combating terrorists in the months following the 9/11 attacks on New York, an inquest heard.

Much of the hearing was held in secret to prevent sensitive information falling into the hands of terrorists, and the chemicals involved in the fatal test were referred to only as A, B and C.

Jurors heard that Mr Jupp and his colleagues had just finished mixing the three chemicals when the explosion occurred.

He suffered severe burns and died a week later in hospital.

The tests were part of joint experiments between British and American experts.

One witness said the results could be "catastrophic" if information about the testing fell into the wrong hands.

Mr Jupp's widow Pat said she thought the jury had assessed the evidence correctly.

"I think the jury got it right," she said.

"I don't want anything like this to ever happen again."

Mrs Jupp said she had never been able to discuss the sensitive nature of the work with her husband and that listening to evidence about his death had been "extremely harrowing".