South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has called on the British Government to abandon plans for new nuclear reactors at Moorside amid a fresh financial crisis facing its majority shareholder.
Toshiba saw 40% wiped from the company’s value over the past week leading to doubts if it can continue as a majority shareholder for the proposed nuclear sites.
Margaret Ritchie said: “In the wake of the Hinkley project that was also plagued by investment problems, this latest development must act as a wake-up call for the British Government to finally distance itself from its misguided nuclear strategy.
“Given doubts over Toshiba’s ability to continue as a majority shareholder in this project the Business Secretary must at last throw these plans in the bin. We cannot have a repeat of Hinkley where the British Government was forced to turn to less than reputable state owned Chinese energy firms.
“Looking at the site of the proposed new reactors, in the shadow of the disastrous Sellafield facility, you have to ask if the British Government has learned anything from its less than successful forays into nuclear power.
“Sellafield has had a toxic legacy that has had serious and widespread repercussions for public health and the environment. Its record of severe safety breaches along with the billions it continues to cost to clean up would put any right minded government from further investment in nuclear power.
“Far from this being a deterrent, the UK Government is determined to repeat past mistakes and, without a hint of shame or compunction, repeat them at the scene of the crime.”
