UK regularly leaks radioactive material
Monday, 27 April 2009 1:12 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
British nuclear submarines leaking radioactive material has become "a recurring theme" according to a confidential report.
The submarines have leaked into the Firth of Clyde three times since the turn of the century; in 2004, 2007 and 2008, prompting the the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) to warn it has the power to close the base at Faslane.
SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesperson Angus Robertson said: "This utterly damning disclosure reveals repeated and serious nuclear safety breaches, and the MoD (MInistry of Defence) cannot be above the law.
"We are not talking about a one off incident but a whole catalogue of serious and frankly shocking failures."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said: "A certain amount of operational independence is inevitable given the role played by nuclear submarines, but that cannot come at such a price to human safety and the environment.
"This is no longer the Cold War. The MoD must operate its nuclear facilities at at least the same level of safety as civilian nuclear operators."
Kate Hudson, chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said: "These shocking revelations show a disregard for safety that is simply inexcusable.
"The combination of high-explosive weaponry and floating nuclear reactors should make it obvious that every safety precaution possible must be taken, but once again the MoD has been found lacking."
The revelation features in a document handed over the Channel 4 News under the Freedom of Information Act.
"The MoD is a responsible nuclear operator and informed the appropriate regulatory authorities," a spokesman said, adding there had not been any environmental consequences..
"We commissioned an independent study into the facilities and practices at HM Naval Base Clyde and an improvement plan is currently under way to ensure modern standards and best practice at the base."
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