A British Scientist Has Won A Six-Figure Payout From The MoD

A British scientist has won a six-figure compensation pay-out from the MoD after a suspicious package, which had been declared safe by military experts, exploded in front of him.

Lee Peters from Lincolnshire lost three fingers and suffered damage to his eyesight in the incident in Afghanistan in 2011.

He had been working in the Mod Laboratory when the device, which had been left for seven days as it was deemed low priority, exploded as he was testing for forensics. 

The chemical weapon, thought to be a replica of a Russian landmine detonator, ripped away his index, third and ring finger down to the knuckle.

Mr Peters said: 

"It was like being in a movie - everything went in slow motion. I knew my fingers were blown clean off but I could barely see."

Mr Peters was rushed to the hospital where surgeons worked on him for 13 hours to try and save his hand. 

He has also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and counts himself lucky to be alive. 

An MoD spokesman said: "We cannot comment on individual cases, but all claims are carefully considered and where the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation we do so."