MP calls for investigation into Devonport nuclear siren false alarm
The siren went off accidentally on Monday afternoon
There's a call for a full investigation into how the nuclear warning siren at Devonport went off on Monday afternoon.
MP Luke Pollard has written to the Defence Secretary saying the accident caused considerable distress - the Royal Navy later confirmed it was a false alarm.
Mr Pollard says residents were left waiting for up to ninety minutes before it was confirmed everything was OK, and he's called communication around the issue 'woeful'.
He says, “If the nuclear sirens go off outside the weekly test you have to assume it is real and that radiation has been released from the dockyard.
“Today’s false alarm was accompanied not by clear communications but with muddle and confusion. I want a full investigation into why the alarm went off and an overhaul of the communication plans.
“In the event of a radiation leak every second matters and in the event of a false alarm the priority must be to let people know it was a mistake quickly. Failure to communicate properly has eroded trust in the siren. That could cost lives. The MOD, the Royal Navy and Babcock need to respond to this fast and with seriousness.”