In 1953 J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who contributed most to the development of the atom bomb, was suspended from his post at the US Atomic Energy Commission. He was accused of being a ' security risk' because of his early Communist associations and his opposition to the development of the H-bomb.
Oppenheimer asked for an official enquiry into his suspension and tonight's programme is a reconstruction of that enquiry, taken verbatim from the official transcript by CHRISTOPHER BURSTALL and STUART HOOD. It includes evidence from many leading participants in the development of the A-bomb and raises issues of conscience that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago.
In the part of Oppenheimer: STEPHEN MURRAY
Introduced by STUART HOOD
Director CHRISTOPHER BURSTALL ( Repeat)