First Minister Jack McConnell was today urged to come clean over plans for new nuclear power stations in Scotland.
Green groups, including Friends of the Earth Scotland, WWF Scotland and Greenpeace, challenged McConnell on the first day of the Scottish Labour Party Conference in Oban, Argyll.
The green groups sent an ad van to the conference venue with a billboard pointing out the stark difference in position on nuclear power between the Scottish political parties.
The billboard, which reads "New Nuclear Power for Scotland? Greens say no. Lib Dems say no. SNP says no. Scottish Labour says ?" is intended to highlight Scottish Labour's continuing fudge over nuclear power.
Jack McConnell has avoided publicly backing nuclear power in Scotland or distancing himself from Tony Blair's proposals for a new generation of nuclear reactors in the UK.
Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace's Chief Scientist said, "The vast majority of Scots oppose nuclear power and it's clear that all the major Scottish parties other than Labour reflect this in their policies. This conference is a chance for Jack McConnell and Scottish Labour to do the same.
"Tony Blair is trying to foist dangerous and expensive new nuclear plants on Scotland with all the risks of accidents and the deadly waste they produce – even though Scotland has abundant clean energy sources such as wind and wave power. Scottish Labour should stand up to the pressure from Tony Blair and make a clear commitment to veto any plans for new reactors in Scotland."
For more information, contact Dr Doug Parr on 07801 212973, or the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255.
