Radiation leak at MOD base kept secret for over two years
THE Ministry of Defence waited over two years before announcing to the public that one of its nuclear submarines leaked a small amount of radiation at its Caithness base.
Defence secretary Philip Hammond confirmed at the House of Commons on Thursday low levels of radioactivity were discovered in the cooling waters of the nuclear submarine test reactor at Vulcan in January 2012.
He made the claim as it was announced HMS Vanguard, one of four nuclear ballistic missile submarines – is to be refuelled with a new nuclear core at a cost of £120 million.
Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker blasted the Government for withholding the information from the public and the Commons, saying it should have been announced much sooner.
Far North MP John Thurso said as the result of the submarine being refuelled with the new nuclear core, he is calling on the Government to reconsider shutting down the submarine test reactor next year.
Read more in Friday’s John O’ Groat Journal
