Faslane radioactive secrets to be released after FoI ruling
The saga started after the MoD censored its annual nuclear safety assessments, with The Ferret then sending an FOI to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) in 2019 asking for information on 'any environmental issues with radioactivity' at Faslane and Coulport since 2016.
This was then abandoned, along with almost a thousand other requests, following a cyber attack in 2020.
When the request was resubmitted in 2023, Sepa released a few files but withheld others citing 'national security concerns' or that they could prejudice the agency's ability to conduct 'inquiries of a criminal or disciplinary nature'.
Subsequent FoI requests in 2024 also led to Sepa withholding files, which led the outlet to lodge two appeals with the Scottish Information Commissioner, David Hamilton.
Hamilton has now published his decisions on both appeals, ruling that Sepa must release the files as it had breached FoI law by wrongly claiming that releasing the files would endanger defence, national security or public safety.
'The commissioner does not accept that making the majority of the information available would, or would be likely to, lead to the kind of prejudice argued by the authority,' reports from Hamilton's office said.
'The commissioner is of this view as he is not convinced that disclosure of this information is a threat to anything other than reputations.'
Sepa has until July 28 2025 to comply or appeal.
The Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament accused Sepa of 'complicity in a public-relations culture of secrecy'.
'Sepa should enable public awareness of serious accidents at nuclear bases, along with the small, and not-so-small, accidental and routine radioactive discharges,' the campaign's chair, Lynn Jamieson, said.
'Sadly this is typical of government dishonesty about the real risks of nuclear weapons and nuclear power – adding risks of catastrophic accidents and radiation to our environment, putting a target on our backs and leaving a legacy of harm for future generations.'
Sepa said it was 'firmly committed' to upholding its FoI responsibilities and would take 'every opportunity to embed learning and best practice' and that it had made 'significant improvements' in the last two years.
Its head of governance, Kieron Gallagher, added: 'Sepa respects the decision by the Scottish Information Commissioner on Sepa's handling of these two related information requests."
An MoD spokesperson said: 'We take our responsibilities for the safety and security of radioactive materials very seriously and have robust arrangements for compliance with environmental legislation under clear agreements with Sepa.
'The events at His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde and Coulport previously reported by Sepa had no impact on the environment and demonstrate we have a strong and transparent safety culture that learns from experience and takes action to prevent recurrence.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
The former Edinburgh councillor drafted in to see off 'near existential threat' to Tories
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Those of us who endured typing classes may remember hammering out 'Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party', but it's more familiar as a cliché when it comes to political rescue jobs. Sir Keir Starmer may be looking out for anyone who might come to his aid and restore his reputation – men, women or guide dogs – after his Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was gutted into pointlessness to stave off a crushing Commons defeat. So many U-turns, so much political capital burnt, his Chancellor in tears, and all he has to show for it is approval ratings plunging further into the red along with his government's balance sheet, and rebel MPs, notably Alloa MP Brian Leishman, emboldened to speak in terms which under normal circumstances would warrant summary expulsion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He is not alone in having his troubles to seek and, before this week's debacle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was tying with him on minus 34 in pollster YouGov's approval ratings. His are unlikely to have improved, but Ms Badenoch might get a lift from doing what the Opposition is supposed to do: oppose and put the government under pressure. Former Edinburgh councillor Mark McInnes, who has just been appointed chief executive of the UK Conservative party, is one of the Tories' most effective political strategists | Jane Barlow Tories on track for 46 seats There is, of course, a long, long way to go, with YouGov's poll of 11,000 voters last week to mark the Labour government's first anniversary showing the Conservatives on track for a previously unimaginable 46 seats, a loss of 75. That Sir Keir was on course to lead his party to a catastrophic collapse to 178 seats, a drop of 233, would be of no solace if Reform was able to pick up the predicted 271 constituencies to be the biggest single party in a hung parliament. But coming to the aid of the party is Mark McInnes, aka Lord McInnes of Kilwinning, widely regarded as a lot more than a good man, but one of the Conservatives' most effective political strategists in recent memory and this week appointed as the UK party's new chief executive, having had his arm twisted by influential figures like Lord Steve Gilbert with whom he worked closely after being appointed as Scottish party director in 2011 when still plain old Morningside councillor Mark McInnes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In that role he was key to the Scottish Conservatives' change in fortunes through the referendum era, forming a tight team with leader Ruth Davidson delivering the charisma, the savvy David Mundell MP supplying the political nous, and Eddie Barnes the media and communications strategy, all underpinned by his forensic analysis and deep understanding of voting patterns and behaviours, and sharp management of the grassroots party. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch needs to find a way to fight back against the threat posed by Reform UK (Picture: House of Commons/UK Parliament) | PA Wire Better Together stalwart When Mark spoke at party conferences and conventions, delegates didn't just dip in but listened intently because they knew they would learn something. If Ruth fired the shots, Mark supplied the ammunition. Elevated to a peerage in 2016 in recognition of his work during the 2014 independence referendum campaign to sharpen Better Together's messaging after a lacklustre start, he was instrumental in delivering the huge gains in Scotland at the 2016 Holyrood and 2017 general elections, and to hold the Scottish Parliament seats in 2021, after which he went south to bolster the Downing Street team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wisely taking a step back after Liz Truss's election to party leader in 2022, the last time I spoke to him he was on a study trip on a Turkish archaeological site and as far out the loop of British politics as he could make himself, which wasn't far away at all and he supported Kemi Badenoch's leadership campaign. No one doubts the enormity of the challenge he faces, with one friend describing his first job being 'to see how much life there is left in the patient', but another was more pointedly critical of the current leadership, and identified the need to strip back to core values of hard work, personal responsibility and 'appeal to people for whom aspiration is not a dirty word'. Reform support expected to plateau Further, there is a need to reconnect with 'constituencies of purpose' like the business community and farmers disillusioned by Labour's tax raids, only set to increase after the welfare climbdown wiped out hoped-for savings. With Tories now polling in the teens, one analyst said it will be tough just to reach the mid-20s, but there is a belief that Reform will plateau, and arguing to turn either more to the right or left was a 'false dichotomy' when a clear appeal to all right-of-centre voters was needed. 'And anyway, how many parties has Nigel Farage been through before there's a fall-out?' one observed hopefully. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who better to judge the new chief's chances than the person with whom he worked the closest, Ruth Davidson. "Appointing Mark McInnes is probably the smartest political move Kemi Badenoch has ever made. If there is anyone in the Conservative party that understands how to build votes against all odds, it is Mark,' she said. 'Smart, talented, hardworking and living in the real world, he's spent decades confounding the odds in Scotland where the party's last rites have been read many, many times. He knows what it means to fight for every vote and – crucially – how to win them. But appointing Mark is not enough on its own to see off the near existential threat facing the Conservatives. Ms Badenoch and her team actually have to listen to him, work to his tempo and pace and implement his ideas. Time will tell if she's prepared to do that."
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
UK Government 'must take Scottish approach to disability payments'
Welcome to this week's Branch Office Updates! Subscribe (for free) by clicking on the linked banner above. A PROMINENT disability campaigner has called for the UK Labour Government to take the 'more humane' approach Scotland is taking with disability payments. It comes after the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its first hurdle on Tuesday. When the legislation was first announced, it included measures to limit eligibility for Pip, the main disability benefit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and freeze the health-related element of universal credit. But a huge backbench rebellion saw the changes to Pip stripped from the legislation with a review commissioned. The so-called Timms review is expected to report next autumn after consulting with the disabled community and stakeholders. READ MORE: Faslane nuclear base radioactive secrets to be released after FoI battle That same day, Marylynne Hunter – an ex-Labour member and activist who resigned in March – told The National that she received a call from Social Security Scotland, who administers the devolved Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Child Disability Payment. Her daughter Freya has severe complex health problems and disabilities, is non-verbal and blind and requires full-time oxygen and at-home nursing care. 'The guy from Social Security Scotland was amazing. They actually spoke to me with dignity and respect,' she said. 'And I was part of those consultations way back with (former minister for equalities) Jeane Freeman in the Scottish Parliament talking about the way in which you're spoken to by people down in Westminster sometimes before it was devolved and it could be quite distressing.' Hunter added: 'But this guy was brilliant. The dignity and respect part is there, you know, it's completely there. It was actually a really nice meeting, and he met Freya online and everything and he was lovely.' (Image: Marylynne Hunter) She also said that with the Scotland's Child Disability Payment, with someone with Freya's condition, they won't have to reapply for the Adult Disability Payment – an aspect which would have been the case if she was applying for PiP. 'She'll just naturally go to the next stage of Adult Disability Payment without any big forms or anything,' Hunter said. 'It's just a wee form that you have to fill in because she's not going to get better. So, that's the Scottish way of doing it. But if it had been the English way of doing it, I would have had to have reapplied. I would have had to have applied for Pip for Freya. And it would have been horrific.' She added: 'It's that whole thing about having to do that big massive form again and talk about what she can't do. I'd rather talk about what she can do, because that's distressing when I have to talk about what Freya needs in terms of her medical care. It's horrific. I don't want to be reminded of that because it's really difficult for me to deal with.' 'The Scottish Government do it in a really good way where they take all the information from the GP and consultants and they don't put you through that torture.' Hunter went on: 'You know what, that's the power of consultation with people who are on the ground with lived experience. The Scottish Government did that, they've consulted with people who are actually accessing these benefits. 'They've done it right.'
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scotland facing unprecedented rush of AI-designed super-strength synthetic drugs
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark - a drugs policy reformer - has told of inevitable rise of nitazenes, more than 100 times stronger than heroin. Scotland is facing an unprecedented rush of AI-designed and super-strength synthetic drugs that could ramp up our appalling death rate even further. The chilling warning was issued in Glasgow by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, now chair of the Global Commission on Drug Policy. Clark, who was visiting the UK's first legal drugs consumption room in the city, said drugs can now be produced on 3D printers, making detection and enforcement even harder for police forces, which are already failing spectacularly to break down supply chains. And the dogged campaigner for drug policy reform said she has been briefed on the inevitability of a reshaping of drug supplies that will include more deadly fentanyl and nitazenes, which are many times stronger than heroin and already being sold on Scottish streets. She believes that drug checking facilities are urgently needed and that greater moves should be made to educate drug users on the huge risk of death by dabbling with new substances. Clark said: 'We've had up to date briefings at our Global Commission meeting in London with experts who are telling us that they think we're coming to the end of a plant based substance use pattern. 'The use is moving to synthetics, like fentanyl, which is far more potent than heroin. And nitazenes, which are more potent again. 'This raises the very real prospect that the drug death rate could accelerate again, even in Scotland. 'If you look at the drug death rate statistics, and you put the UK population in the rest of the European Union, the UK deaths are making up 40% I mean, this is incredible. It's absolutely extraordinary. 'But the picture could certainly get worse.' Clark said the dawning of AI platforms like ChatGPT could bring a new realm of danger. She said: 'If you ask GPT ask it to design you something, it will. AI is not just used by ordinary people, it can be a resource for criminals.' And she said that the use of perfectrly legals chemicals in the creation of deadly drugs will make it impossible for police to get ahead of the gangs and smaller manufacturers who will target vulnerable communities. She said: 'You can outlaw get heroin and cocaine and the rest of it, but the precursors of some of the synthetics are so widely used for multiple use, an interdiction policy has almost no meaning. 'A banning policy has no meaning because the compound will change tomorrow. 'So law enforcement has an impossible task.' Clark said a massive public health response is the only way to combat the rise of the new drugs. She said: 'I am aware that this facility in Glasgow has applied to the Home Office for a drug testing licence. We need these to be the norm across towns and cities in Scotland and other nations. 'I am aware that at The Thistle centre there has been 39 medical emergencies on the six months it has been operating and that tells us there is a need for drug testing. 'Users don't want to die. They want to know what they are taking and they want to know they are not taking stuff laced with fentanyl of nitazenes.' Clark said New Zealand was the first nation in the world to legally allow all drug testing. Warm tributes for tragic drugs crusader Peter Krykant Glowing tributes were made to campaigner Peter Krykant, who launched hi sown mobile drugs van to force political action on Scotland's drug deaths. Dad of two Krykant, 48, died suddenly last month after battling relapse for his own addiction. He took the bold decision to defy UK law and run his own safe drug space for injecting addicts in Glasgow. Operating from a converted former ambulance, Krykant drove from his home in Falkirk and dealt with users that include some clients of The Thistle today. Helen Clark added: 'When I heard of Peter's death I was really shattered. I became aware of his efforts because I was chair of the Global Commission on Drugs Policy and I was noticing what was happening in Scotland. 'I was aware of his courage in getting out there in the van, being hassled by police. 'He was a pioneer and when came here two years ago, he was at our meetings. 'I loved meeting him, so I'm shattered by what's happened.' Councillor Allan Casey, city convener for addictions, said: 'Peter Krykant was a trailblazer and although Glasgow City Council was determined to open this facility, Peter humanised the debate and won over many people along the way. 'His contribution cannot be ignored.' She said: 'We do the festivals, street corners, wherever. Everyone's entitled to have the drugs tested. That's where Scotland and the UK needs to be. 'You need more of these kinds of facilities in other Scottish cities, with more research and effective antidotes to the new drugs coming onto the market. 'We already have Naloxone and it does quite well for the plant based substances, but we're getting into new territory with synthetics. 'There needs to be more research also on the substitution therapies because while methadone can work for opioids, it doesn't necessarily do it doesn't do it for the methamphetamine and othjer drugs. 'So it's really digging into what are going to be the ingredients of a really successful harm reduction approach, because the thought that you're going to stop people using drugs, human beings have always used drugs. 'Why do people have a drink at a party? What they have tobacco in the trenches of World War One that spread through society? 'As long as we have people who have a requirement to be transported out of their reality we will not be able to stop it, so we have to be prepared to help them.' Scotland's new drug policy minister Maree Todd, a qualified mental health pharmacist, said the benefits of The Thistle were demonsrated when a wave of contaminated drugs hots Scottish streets earlier this year. And she said that spreading word on contaminated os extremely dangerous drugs is crucial. Todd said: 'Very profoundly unwell people here in this facility had their lives saved by the staff when contaminated drugs were used all over Scotland. 'We can be fairly confident that there was a life saving intervention. We were able to pick up that knowledge and feed it into the public health Radar system in Scotland and disseminate the word that there were contaminated drugs on the street, which made things safer for everyone.' The Thistle, opened after years of controversial political and legal wrangling, claims to have helped more than 300 addicts in the past six months. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Run by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, it is regarded as a pilot that will lead to other centres - although UK PM Keir Starmer has failed to embrace the 'safer drugs' philosophy. Scotland is the worst nation in Europe for drug deaths by a long way. Deaths in Scotland rose risen by a third in the first three months of this year, 'devastating' figures revealed. There were 308 such deaths over the period January to March, with this total up by 33% on the last three months of 2024. There were 1,053 suspected drugs deaths in the 12 months to March 2025 – meaning there were 166 (14%) fewer such deaths than in the 12 months to March 2024, when the total was 1,219.
