A Fife MSP has slammed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after it called on Fife Council to contribute to the clean-up operation caused by radioactive contamination at Dalgety Bay.
Annabelle Ewing has described as an “insult” the MoD’s attitude to the people of Fife after a leading official said he expected the local authority to make a contribution to the project caused by MoD waste at the beach.
In a letter to the SNP MSP, Dr Andrew Murrison MP said that a commitment to maintain sea defences would “most appropriately” fall to Fife Council, despite radium contamination of the beach being caused by dumped MoD aircraft following the Second World War.
Adamant that the MoD should pay for its own clean-up, however, Ms Ewing warned that extra pressure on Fife Council’s budget would ultimately have an effect on services within the region.
She told The Courier: “This letter from the MoD is just the latest in a series of insults to people in Fife from the MoD.
“The UK Government’s attitude on Dalgety Bay has been nothing short of disgraceful. Residents of Dalgety Bay and Fifers from across the kingdom have been waiting decades for this mess to be cleaned up.
“The MoD can’t keep passing the buck on this issue the UK Government need to take responsibility and fully fund the clean up of Dalgety Bay immediately.”