British Nuclear Fuels Limited and New Scientist magazine were embroiled in a bitter argument yesterday over a report suggesting a terrorist attack on Sellafield could result in a nuclear disaster worse than Chernobyl.
An article entitled "The Nightmare Scenario" in this week's issue of the magazine posed several questions about BNFL's preparedness for terrorist attack and quoted independent nuclear engineers who suggested it would be "easy" for a terrorist group to obtain detailed plans and photographs of its nuclear installations.
The article also suggested contamination arising from a terrorist attack could render some parts of Europe uninhabitable.
In a strongly worded condemnation from BNFL, the company insisted the article was an example of "scaremongering at its worst based on such sensational scenarios that it borders on science fiction".
BNFL said the views expressed in the article were those of well-known anti-nuclear organisations "and people who appear to be using the events of 11th September for their own ideological aims".
BNFL insisted the tanks referred to in the article were some of "the most robust buildings" within the Sellafield complex and said a large biological shield surrounded the tanks.
The company also confirmed that in the light of the terrorist attacks in the US, all safety and security contingency plans at the plant were being reviewed.
New Scientist responded by saying many of the points raised by BNFL were "either grossly unfair or downright misleading". The magazine insisted it had not questioned whether BNFL protected its radioactive tanks but whether the concrete structures surrounding the tanks were constructed to withstand crashing aircraft.
New Scientist said it would ask BNFL to withdraw its statement that the article was designed to undermine security arrangements at Sellafield, insisting the comments were "misleading and potentially damaging to our reputation".
Meanwhile, a senator has said a no-fly zone must be put in place over Sellafield immediately to protect against the threat of a terrorist strike on the nuclear plant.
Senator Fergus O'Dowd, Fine Gael, said yesterday: "Sellafield is already a threat to the health and safety of Irish people on this side of the water through its nuclear reprocessing operation. Now we have the added threat of terrorist attacks.
"The Taoiseach must insist that the no-fly zone be imposed after the British government gave the go-ahead for a MOX fuel unit at Sellafield, even after the terrible events of September 11th."
Mr O'Dowd is based in Co Louth where people believe nearby Sellafield has caused high levels of cancer and birth defects.