British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd (BNGSL) pleaded guilty to three breaches of its nuclear licence this morning at Whitehaven Magistrates' Court in England.
The company was taken to court by the British Health And Safety Executive following a leak on April 20th, 2005 when 83 cubic metres of radioactive 'liquor' leaked from a pipe at the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (Thorp) in Cumbria.
BNFL Sellafield Nuclear power plant in Cumbria.
The leak was contained in a "Head End Feed Clarification Cell", and no radioactive material was released in to the atmosphere or environment.
Work at the plant was immediately halted when the leak was discovered.
Under the British Nuclear Installations Act 1965; licencees have to make and comply with written instructions; ensure that their safety systems are in good working order; and ensure radioactive material is contained and that if a leak occurs, it is detected and reported. BNGSL pleaded guilty to breaching these three clauses in their licence.
The sentencing hearing is listed for the Crown Court, Carlisle on July 7th. Any penalty will involve a fine, and there is no maximum or minimum limit to the fine the Crown Court can impose.
In response to today's proceedings, BNGSL issued this short statement: "British Nuclear Group has been charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) of contravening three Licence Conditions in relation to the Thorp Feed Clarification Cell pipe fracture.
"We deeply regret the incident and have pleaded guilty to the charges brought by the HSE. This matter has been referred to the Crown Court for sentencing and clearly, we cannot comment on the details of the case whilst legal proceedings are underway".
Fine Gael Environment Spokesperson, Fergus O'Dowd, welcomed the decision that a higher court in the UK will fine Sellafield's operators followings today's guilty plea and urged the penalty imposed to be the toughest possible.
Deputy O'Dowd added that, despite this welcome prosecution, the only solution is for the plant to be decommissioned and wound down completely.
"It is no surprise that Sellafield's operators, BNGSL, pleaded as they did as it is clear that they are guilty as sin of three breaches of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.
"The Whitehaven Magistrates Court, where today's case was heard, would have only been able to impose a pitifully small fine of about £20,000 and it is therefore very welcome that a higher court will decide the sentence. As far as I am aware, there is no restriction on higher courts in the UK as to how much BNG can be fined and the prosecution must demand that the toughest possible sentence be handed down.
"If this results in Sellafield and the THORP reprocessing plant shutting down, all the better. The management concerned must also be held personally accountable and fired," added Mr O'Dowd.