Sellafield owners fined for leak

The company which runs the Sellafield nuclear plant in England has been fined £2m (€2.97m) following a leak at the Thorp plant last year.

The UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority imposed the penalty for the breach of health and safety standards.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority says it has made its commitment to the highest standards in health and safety, and the security and protection of the environment absolutely clear.

And it expects its contractors to deliver sustained excellence in these areas.

It says it had to fine the British Nuclear Group for its failings following the leak at Sellafield.

The Minister for the Environment Dick Roche says the leak is a damning indictment of the safety management at the plant.

And he says it demonstrates the Government’s justification for taking international legal actions against the UK.

He is reiterating his pledge to use every diplomatic and legal route available to close the Thorp facility.