Japanese disaster exposes nuclear power risks

Serious concerns have been raised over plans to build eight new nuclear plants in the UK after the Japanese earthquake caused nuclear meltdown.

A nuclear safety review has been ordered by the UK government following the explosions in a nuclear plant in Japan.

Tim Thompson of the Green Party in Cornwall believes the chain of events in Japan, exposes the wider vulnerabilities of nuclear power and its negative effects.

The earthquake and tsunami destablised the nuclear plant in Fukushima, causing reactors to explode and leaking out radiation at an alarming rate.

Energy secretary Chris Huhne has asked regulators to prepare a report on the events at Fukushima in Japan. French energy company EDF plans to build the first of four reactors in the UK by 2018.

Mr Huhne said that British regulators would have to study the disaster and its consequences to learn lessons. Currently, there are plans to build eight new reactors in the UK.

Jamie Reed, the Labour MP for Copeland, also warned against nuclear power following the disaster in Japan. Since Tuesday a third reactor has exploded and emitted radiation levels beyond the safe limits.