A GOVERNMENT minister has given reassurances that Sellafield poses “no safety risk” following the claims made by Panorama. Addressing Parliament on Tuesday in response to the documentary’s allegations, Nick Hurd said: “There is no safety risk to site staff or the public – and it is wrong to suggest otherwise.” Mr Hurd, the Minister of State at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, added: “Ensuring high standards of nuclear safety will always be a top priority for this government.” The Parliamentary debate was held after Copeland’s MP Jamie Reed secured time to put an ‘urgent question’ to government following Monday’s broadcast. Mr Reed said: “The safety and security of Sellafield are the most important considerations of everyone working at the site. Safety is non-negotiable and as a former, third-generation Sellafield worker, I know that the Sellafield workforce is acutely aware of its responsibilities towards the entire community. “It’s crucial that everyone in the local community – and nationally – understands the work that is taking place, and it’s vitally important this is understood in a comprehensive and accurate way.” Mr Hurd also pointed to the site’s “impressive” recent safety record, and added that the independent Office for Nuclear Regulation and its team of 50 inspectors “is satisfied that Sellafield is safe”.
Whitehaven News 7th Sept 2016 read more »