Nuclear Consultation Is A Sham - Öpik

3.38.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2007

With the Government's consultation on new nuclear power stations coming to an end tomorrow, the Liberal Democrats have attacked the process as a sham. Several key organisations, such as Greenpeace, have already withdrawn from the consultation.

The end of the consultation also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Windscale nuclear disaster.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Secretary, Lembit Öpik MP said:

"This consultation has been a total sham. Ministers claim to have an open mind on nuclear power, but they were committed to building these expensive monstrosities before the consultation even began.

"If new stations are built, future generations will be left to deal with tonnes of radioactive waste that will remain dangerous for thousands of years.

"People will realise that this tried, tested and failed technology is a waste of money compared with genuinely sustainable and clean forms of electricity generation. Putting millions of pounds into new nuclear power stations will stifle the growth of renewables.

"Ministers should run a proper consultation to find out what the people of Britain really think about its plans."

Notes

Lembit Öpik is planning to hold his own investigation into nuclear power, starting on Monday with a visit to a French nuclear power station. He will also be consulting with leading industry figures and pressure groups.