RADIATION LEAK MUST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN: MULHOLLAND

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Feb 2006

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, has today commented on the case in 2002 of the lorry which travelled from Cookridge Hospital and through the heart of Mr Mulholland's constituency, including areas of Otley, leaking intensely reactive radioactive beam.

Commenting, Greg said:

"This court case is timely considering the Government's Energy Review into the possibility of building new nuclear power stations. This is exactly why we should not build any more nuclear power stations, as clearly waste is not being dealt with safely or effectively.

"Given the hazardous nature of substances being moved, the Government needs to record all movements and ensure the security of these. This raises serious questions about the ability of private companies to deal safely with the movement of hazardous materials.

"It is all very well fining the company involved £250,000, but as this is a public health issue, the Government must take its share of responsibility for this incident, which could have proved extremely dangerous for the residents of Leeds North West."