Davey calls for “polluters to pay” for North Sea clean up and for emergency government summit following ship collision in visit to Hull

EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 THURSDAY 13 MARCH

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and Hull Council Leader Mike Ross have today [Thursday 13 March] called for “the polluters to pay” for any clean up of the North Sea following this week’s ship collision, as well as for an emergency summit in Yorkshire so civic leaders and the public can be made aware of any security and environmental risks.

This follows the collision on Monday of two ships in the North Sea near East Yorkshire. The full extent of the sea pollution and damage is unclear at the moment, but environmental charities including the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have expressed serious concern about the likely impacts.

Cllr Mike Ross added that “the people of East Yorkshire need to know if there are any security risks” following the news that the captain of the Solong container ship is a Russian national. Cllr Ross had previously asked for COBRA to meet on Tuesday.

On a visit to a wildlife reserve on the Humber estuary with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Ed Davey and Cllr Mike Ross will also set out that they would support the civilian authorities calling for military assistance for the clean up if necessary.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“It is vital that it is the polluters who pay for any clean up of the North Sea and our precious coastline. The agencies involved have done an absolutely amazing job. They shouldn’t be left to foot the bill from already overstretched budgets, and nor should ordinary taxpayers.

“The people of East Yorkshire deserve to know that the Government is doing everything in its power to protect our coastlines, our wildlife and our communities.”

Leader of Hull Council, Cllr Mike Ross, added:

“We need real action now, and a Minister on the ground. The people of East Yorkshire need to know if there are any security risks too.

“Like many others, I am deeply concerned by the impact this disaster may have on our coastal communities and in the Humber estuary -— that’s why I called for COBRA to be convened. I will continue to urge government to act with the same urgency and commitment as the emergency services and agencies on the ground.”

ENDS