The SDLP has hit out at the Prime Minister after she confirmed a nuclear reactor will be developed at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said Theresa May's decision will cause "irreparable damage to public health and the environment".

She said: "Since day one these plans in particular have been plagued with problems. The reactor design is widely considered to be outdated and problematic with similar designs in Finland and France running years behind schedule and well over budget. The British Government have also had to include a disreputable Chinese state energy company after French investors got cold feet, raising serious security concerns about the plant.

-- Advertisement --

"Only last week we woke up to headlines about the severe safety and security failings at the former Sellafield site. Unbelievably, when this story broke, proponents of the current Hinkley plans claimed that with the benefit of hindsight of course we shouldn't have invested in nuclear power, following with 'we are where we are'.

"This is a classic example of history repeating itself. The decision to push ahead with these plans against public and expert opinion defies economic, environmental and safety considerations."

(CD/LM)