Prospect General Secretary Paul Noon said: "The crucial issue is whether informed consent for organs/tissue to be removed was given by the relatives.

"Nuclear workers and their families at Harwell and other nuclear sites will be concerned at the news that the removal of organs and tissue was more widespread than originally revealed. We will be pressing for Michael Redfern to move with all possible speed to complete the inquiry."

Prospect represents 12,000 scientists, engineers, technicians and managers in the nuclear industry.