Rupert Lowe MP has lashed out at the Government (Image: Getty)
A MP has been left livid as he claims to have been left in the dark over a secret plan to evacuated a Norfolk town over concerns a nearby Russian ship could explode.
Earlier this year, the MV Ruby docked at , constituency, reportedly containing 300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was believed to be potentially contaminated with fuel.
Mr Lowe claims that he was not informed by the Government about plans he says were drawn up to “evacuate 30,000 people”.
The MP added that he viewed officials’ reaction as a “massive overreaction”, as he is a and has used the fertiliser when drilling on his farm.
He also claims that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) “refused to attend in person to inspect the load in question”.
:
MV Ruby reportedly caused concern about a potential explosion (Image: Getty)
Mr Lowe told : “The ship landed at Great Yarmouth and they started to unload the stuff. HSE didn’t even bother to attend and inspect the ship when it landed, even though they were notified.”
He added: “Ammonium nitrate doesn’t explode unless it’s detonated… The Beirut bomb, or Beirut explosion, that people drew the analogy to, was a totally different situation. There was a firework stored right next to the fertiliser, and there was a suggestion that Hezbollah was involved in detonating it. So we don’t know where the truth lies, and I can tell you that ammonium nitrate is handled on a daily basis.”
The MP also said that locals “thought it was a COBRA operation” as the situation was kept “totally secret”.
On November 16, the vessel sailed 10 miles off the coast of Norfolk and dumped the potentially contaminated fertiliser at sea.
This decision is said to have been based on an approaching storm, which was believed to have threatened the safety and well-being of the crew and vessel. The master of the ship, therefore, gave the order to discharge the cargo.
The reports that the ship was Maltese-flagged, and its cargo was destined for the Canary Islands.
It added that the vessel sailed from a port in before becoming damaged in a storm and technically stranded in the North Sea.
: [REPORT] [REPORT]
I have been uncovering this scandal for weeks.In short, there were proposals seriously considered to evacuate Great Yarmouth, my constituency, due to the risk of an explosion caused by ammonium nitrate ‘potentially’ contaminated with fuel. As the local MP, I was NOT informed.…
— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10)
Then, it is believed that MV Ruby’s owners diverted the ship to Great Yarmouth to unload before diverting to Newcastle for repairs.
Mr Lowe said: “Why would you dump ammonium nitrate 12 miles out at sea offshore my constituency? But, to compound that, you shouldn’t dump plastic bags. They dumped the bags with it.
“If I’m farming and I empty my bag into my drill, I end up with a bag that needs to be recycled. If I chuck that in the river, the Environment Agency would be all over me like a cheap suit, prosecuting me.”
He added: “I think this is symptomatic of what’s happening in the country. You’ve got these unelected quangos that have undermined the authority of Parliament. British business has to suffer this.”
A local fisherman has expressed concern that the chemical has “poisoned” the waters.
Paul Lines, 67, who has been a fisherman all his working life, told Express.co.uk: “They haven’t even told fishermen it’s in there.
Paul Lines is a local fisherman (Image: Paul Lines)
“So, in actual fact the Dutchmen, and whoever wants to trawl on that 12 miles, might be catching contaminated cargoes and now it’s in the food chain already. Because they have yet to tell the fishing industry that there’s been a chemical spill. There’s no official recognition.”
He added: “It’s absolutely disgusting.”
A Government spokesperson said: “These claims are incorrect. The port and ship operator safely carried out an operation with advice from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and environmental regulators.“The UK has some of the most rigorous maritime safety standards in the world and we worked with all involved to ensure that the MV Ruby and the handling of this cargo met those safety standards.
“Ammonium Nitrate is not a persistent chemical, and with sufficient dilution, it will dissipate without leaving a trace.”
It is understood that there is no legal basis upon which the Transport Secretary, nor her representative, could have refused entry where all safety requirements have been met.
It is believed that no ammonium nitrate from the vessel remains in the UK.
Port officials say everything was done in accordance with guidance (Image: Getty)
Peel Ports reportedly informed the HSE on November 11 that up to 500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in hold 1 of the MV Ruby had been found to be contaminated with sea water and fuel oil, it has been claimed.
Express.co.uk understands that it is not the HSE’s role to inspect cargo on a ship or sample ammonium nitrate. It is also understood that the HSE specialists made a technical assessment of risk, based on the information provided by Peel Ports.
It is believed that, since November 11, the HSE provided advice to the port on their duties under health and safety legislation and provided technical support to them and to other government departments.
It was legally required to obtain competent advice in relation to the risks associated with handling ammonium nitrate. Express.co.uk understands that the HSE spoke with experts appointed by Peel Ports, and they could not confirm that the ammonium nitrate was not contaminated.
It has been claimed that Peel Ports consistently stated that the potentially contaminated cargo would not be offloaded, and that it voluntarily ceased operations relating to offloading any ammonium nitrate without the need for the HSE to take formal enforcement.
HSE inspectors attended Great Yarmouth port on November 18 when the MV Ruby returned to offload the remaining ammonium nitrate, having discharged the potentially contaminated ammonium nitrate at sea.
Richard Goffin, Port Director, Port of Great Yarmouth, said: “Fertiliser is a normal cargo that is handled in bulk at ports up and down the country every single day. There would be no UK agriculture without it. We have performed our duty as a port to help a vessel in distress, and its crew, by providing a safe haven.
“Everything we have done has been in accordance with guidance and direction received from the Secretary of State’s representatives and the Health and Safety Executive, as well as discussions with many other public agencies, including Norfolk County Council.”
Express.co.uk contacted HSE, Peel Ports and the Government for comment.