The Ministry of Defence is being urged to disclose particulars of a nuclear incident that occurred at Faslane naval base earlier this 12 months.
Figures present {that a} Class A occasion occurred at HMNB Clyde between 1 January and 22 April.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) defines Class A as essentially the most critical – nonetheless, it has claimed the incident was categorised as of “low safety significance” and didn’t pose a danger to the general public or lead to any radiological impression to the surroundings.
HMNB Clyde is predicated on the banks of Gare Loch at Faslane in Argyll and Bute.
It’s the Royal Navy’s headquarters in Scotland and is dwelling to Britain’s nuclear submarines, which incorporates the Vanguard vessels armed with Trident missiles.
Picture:
A Vanguard nuclear submarine at HM Naval Base Clyde. Pic: PA
Nuclear Website Occasion Experiences (NSERs) element incidents at nuclear services and are categorised primarily based on their security significance and impression.
Responding to a written query earlier this 12 months by SNP MP Dave Doogan, Maria Eagle, minister for defence procurement and trade, confirmed dozens of incidents at Faslane and close by RNAD Coulport – the storage and loading facility for the Trident programme.
Extra on Ministry Of Defence
Nuclear web site occasions (22 April 2024 to 22 April 2025):
• Coulport: 13 Class C and 34 Class D• Faslane: 1 Class A, 5 Class B, 29 Class C, and 71 Class D
Ms Eagle mentioned she couldn’t present particular particulars of the Class A or B incidents “as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces”.
She assured Mr Doogan that “none of the events caused harm to the health of any member of staff or to any member of the public and none have resulted in any radiological impact to the environment”.
In a letter to Mr Doogan, UK Defence Secretary John Healey mentioned: “I can confirm that all reported events were categorised as of low safety significance.
“In accordance with the Worldwide Nuclear and Radiological Occasion Scale (lNES) important security incidents are categorised on the lowest stage – stage one in every of seven.
“Incidents that might fall into this category include equipment failures, human error, procedural failings or near misses where no harm [was] caused to the health of any member of naval base staff, any member of the public, or any resultant radiological impact to the environment.”
Prior to now week, considerations have been reignited over the environmental and public well being impression of the UK’s nuclear weapons programme.
It comes following an investigation by The Guardian and The Ferret, which uncovered radioactive water from RNAD Coulport had leaked into Loch Lengthy attributable to defective previous pipes again in 2019.
The secrecy battle went on for six years.
The Scottish Surroundings Safety Company (SEPA) reported the discharges have been “of no regulatory concern”, whereas the MoD mentioned there had been “no unsafe releases of radioactive material” into the surroundings.
In response to the “catalogue of failures”, the SNP’s deputy chief is looking for an “urgent explanation” from the UK authorities as to what truly occurred at Faslane.
MSP Keith Brown mentioned: “Nuclear weapons are an ever-present danger and this new information is deeply worrying.
“With repeated reviews of great incidents at Faslane and now confirmed radioactive contamination in Loch Lengthy, it is clear these weapons are usually not solely poorly maintained however are a direct menace to our surroundings, our communities, and our security.
“Worse still, the Labour government is refusing to provide any details about the Category A incident.”
The MoD mentioned it was unable to reveal the small print of the incidents reported for “national security reasons”, however pressured all have been categorised as of “low safety significance”.
A spokesperson for the MoD mentioned: “We place the upmost importance on handling radioactive substances safely and securely.
“Nuclear Website Occasion Experiences display our strong security tradition and dedication to study from expertise.
“The incidents posed no risk to the public and did not result in any radiological impact to the environment. It is factually incorrect to suggest otherwise.
“Our authorities backs our nuclear deterrent as the final word guarantor of our nationwide safety.”
