The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, has praised the local people and organisations who played a role in “a fantastic response to what could have been an absolute environmental catastrophe” following the North Sea collision.
In a visit to the shore of the Humber Estuary, Mr Davey met with the Lib Dem leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, to discuss the potential environmental impacts in the North Sea.
On Monday, the MV Solong crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire. More than 30 casualties were brought to shore following the incident. One remains missing and is presumed deceased.
Together Mr Davey and Cllr Ross have called for an emergency summit in Yorkshire so civic leaders and the public can be made aware of any security and environmental risks.
Mr Davey told the LDRS it is “a huge relief” that the environmental impacts from the collision are not as disastrous as once feared and paid tribute to local people and organisations who played a role in “a fantastic response to what could have been an absolute environmental catastrophe.”
While he suggested the “polluters” should be the ones who “pay for any of the clean up”, he continued by adding: “The agencies involved have done an absolutely amazing job.”
Following Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Hull, Cllr Ross said he was “pleased to hear” that the Prime Minister is being kept informed about the North Sea incident. He 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.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
