The repeated insistence by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd that it is open about the operation of its Sellafield plant has again been shown to be meaningless, according to Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna.
Speaking yesterday after BNFL had acknowledged the extent of an incident earlier this month when a leak of radioactive gas occurred, she said the Minister of State for Energy, Mr Joe Jacob, should make "a stern protest to London." The leak was rated lowest on the international scale of nuclear accidents. BNFL said it posed no risk to its workers or the public.
The latest incident, nonetheless, came at the end of several accidents at the liquid vitrification plant, Ms McKenna said. "BNFL often claims it has nothing to hide about its operations at Sellafield. Why then was it all hush-hush about this accident?"