Copeland's Labour MP Jamie Reed has responded to today's announcement from BNFL regarding its sale of British Nuclear Group. He said:

"I regret the break-up of British Nuclear Group. The organisation has shown great progress in delivering safe, accelerated clean-up at Sellafield and in delivering value to the taxpayer in the few years since its establishment. British Nuclear Group has shown itself to be a committed partner of West Cumbria and has strived to meet the community's growing aspirations. In doing so, it has raised the bar for other nuclear contractors seeking to operate in the UK and at Sellafield.

"Since BNFL unexpectedly and without warning changed its model of sale for BNG in late August, I have met with officials from 10 Downing Street, the DTI, national and site unions, Sellafield management, the local authorities and the Secretary of State with a view to resisting the break-up. The most important discussions have been those with the NII, whom I insisted should be at the heart of the decision making process for the BNG sale.

"It is the categoric view of the NII that operations at Sellafield will be affected by continued uncertainty and that the sale of BNG should now proceed as quickly as possible. This is also the view of the senior Sellafield management team. Despite the contemptible decision making process adopted by BNFL, its deliberate lack of consultation with the community and the fact that it deliberately mislead its employees over the involvement of government and key community stakeholders in this process, the wishes of the regulator must be respected.

"I have long advocated a stronger role for the West Cumbrian community in decisions affecting the nuclear industry and this episode publicly illustrates the need for this. The best interests of West Cumbria must now be placed at the heart of this sale process and the community must now be involved in drawing up the terms and conditions for the competition of Sellafield.

"Those companies seeking to operate Sellafield must now understand the new relationship between the nuclear industry and West Cumbria. The expectations of our community are clear: West Cumbria must become the international centre of excellence for the nuclear industry.

"We require unparalleled levels of operational safety, a first class quality of life, an economy, a built environment and an education and a healthcare system that is amongst the best in the UK. The achievement of this will require partnership with the local community, the government and the NDA. This must be a partnership in which the community is the dominant partner. The presence of the eventually successful bidder for the Sellafield management contract will be on West Cumbria's terms or not at all. On our terms, with our unique skills and abilities, there is no other similarly supportive or dedicated nuclear community in the world. The door is open, we are willing hosts and our requirements are clear; let's talk."