MoD nuclear submarine disposal group hit by resignation

Exclusive, 11 October 2009

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) programme aimed at getting rid of the radioactive hulks of defunct nuclear submarines stored in Scotland is coming unstuck after the resignation of a veteran adviser.

Peter Lanyon, who has represented environmental and peace groups on government advisory groups for seven years, has quit because he says the MoD’s submarine disposal project “lacks integrity”. 

His resignation follows an MoD decision reported last month to sack two public consultation experts from its advisory group. Dr Jane Hunt and Dr Bill Thompson, originally from Lancaster University, have been replaced by a public relations company.

To date 15 nuclear submarines have been taken out of service in the UK, without any clear idea of how to dispose of them. Seven are moored at the Rosyth dockyard on the Firth of Forth (see below), and eight at the Devonport naval base in Plymouth.

Since 1998, the MoD has been looking for ways of dismantling them and storing the resulting radioactive waste on land. Ministers set up the ‘Interim Storage of Laid-up Submarines’ programme to investigate what would be publicly acceptable.

But now the programme is riven with disagreements, with the MoD being accused of ignoring public opinion. The whole process had been dogged by “very grave problems” alleged Lanyon. “Fudging and blurring of expert advice lacks integrity, and I cannot condone it, nor sit on a publicly funded body which allows it to happen.”

The MoD said it had tried to resolve Lanyon’s concerns. “We were therefore saddened and disappointed when he chose to resign,” said an MoD spokesman. “We remain fully committed to listening to the views of all interested parties, and will take those views into account in the decision-making process.”

The defunct nuclear submarines moored at Rosyth

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Comments

[Rob Edwards]

Indeed it doesn't. The whole story is explained here: http://www.robedwards.com/2009/09/plans-for-dismantling-old-nuclear-subs-in-disarray-after-experts-sacked.html

[Sarah Lasenby]

I would like to know why the two academics from Newcastle were asked to step down to be replaced by a public relations company ? This does not seem to offer the committee like for like. Please explain.

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