Hull leader Mike Ross calls for emergency COBRA meeting in light of North Sea collision

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Liberal Democrat leader of Hull City Council, Mike Ross, has called for COBRA to be convened in response to the North Sea collision and fuel spill. 

It comes following the collision of two ships off the coast of Withernsea, East Yorkshire, with a risk of fuel leaking into the Humber estuary, and the Aviation, Maritime and Security Minister's update to the Commons.

Ross said COBRA was needed to avoid potential “environmental catastrophe” adding, “It is only right and proper that all available resources are used to try to contain and limit the damage.”

This follows Liberal Democrat calls for a rapid response plan from the Government as the incident unfolded yesterday, and for an urgent meeting in East Yorkshire.

Council leader Mike Ross said:

“The Government needs to convene COBRA as soon as possible. This has the potential to be an environmental catastrophe. It is only right and proper that all available resources are used to try to contain and limit the damage.

“We urgently need to see the scale of the area affected assessed and the level of pollution resulting from the crash. That’s why I’m calling on Keir Starmer to convene COBRA today. 

“People across Hull and East Yorkshire, and especially Holderness, deserve assurances that their local communities, coastline and wildlife will be safe. We will only get this assurance if the Government acts quickly.” 

ENDS