PM was never keen on Hinkley

PRIME Minister Theresa May raised objections to the Hinkley Point nuclear power deal during the coalition government, Lib Dem ex-business secretary Sir Vince Cable has claimed.

Sir Vince said the then home secretary was unhappy about the “gung-ho” attitude to Chinese investment in the site – which would be less than 15 miles from the Vale of Glamorgan across the Bristol Channel – displayed by former Chancellor George Osborne.

The ex-cabinet member was speaking after Mrs May unexpectedly delayed signing-off on the project at the last minute.

“Certainly, when we were in government, Theresa May was, I think, quite clear she was unhappy about the rather gungho approach to Chinese investment that we had, and that George Osborne in particular was promoting and, as I recall, raised objections to Hinkley at that time,” Sir Vince told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

The former business secretary said the way the decision to delay was handled was “clumsy”, but it was right the situation should be reviewed.

Critics believe the Government has been stung by criticism of the amount of money French energy giant EDF will be paid for generating power from Hinkley – £92.50 per megawatt hour of electricity generated.

It is thought there are also security concerns about the role of the Chinese state – which has a one third share in the project – investing in critical infrastructure in the UK.

The claims came as the boss of EDF said he understands the Government wanting more time to consider plans for a new nuclear power station.

Vincent de Rivaz has written to workers in a bid to reassure them that the £18bn Hinkley Point project is still “strong” despite the unexpected delay.

The company’s board narrowly voted to give the final goahead for the long-delayed project but the Government pulled back from signing the contract, saying it would make a decision in the early autumn.

Mr de Rivaz said: “The new Prime Minister has been in post for just 16 days. Her full Cabinet has been in post even fewer.

“We can understand their need to take a little time. We fully respect the Prime Minister’s method.”