Family of British nerve gas victim win compensation

LONDON, May 26 (Reuters) The family of a British soldier who died over 50 years ago after taking part in a deadly nerve gas experiment have finally won compensation for his death.

Ronald Maddison died after having droplets of the lethal agent sarin dabbed on his arm at a chemical warfare laboratory in southern England in 1953. He was just 20 years old.

The government at the time, led by Winston Churchill, ordered an inquest into the death which concluded he had died due to misadventure.

Maddison's family have campaigned against the verdict for years and in 2004 won a ruling from a coroner's court which said the Royal Air Force man was a victim of ''unlawful killing''.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed today it had agreed to accept that verdict and pay compensation.

''We very much regret the unfortunate death of Ronald Maddison,'' an MoD spokesman said. ''We are delighted that an amicable settlement has been reached with his family.'' It declined to confirm reports of a pay-out of 100,000 pounds (186,900 dollar).

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