THE Government came under fire today following reports that it had revealed the detailed movements of nuclear materials, including one route through York.
A national Sunday newspaper claimed a Ministry of Defence website listed the city as being on a "nuclear weaponry route," implying that materials are taken through by train on the East Coast Main Line.
The publication comes at a time when Home Secretary David Blunkett is seeking to introduce new legislation punishing the disclosure of any information which might prejudice the security of any nuclear material. Ryedale MP John Greenway said today that the MoD publication "seemed a bit of an own goal." He said it illustrated how the Government appeared to be following so many different agendas and trying to please so many different lobbies.
York's Labour MP Hugh Bayley defended the publication, saying: "I am a strong believer in freedom of information."
Updated: 10:39 Monday, November 19, 2001
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