Normally dull MPs KO nuke exports to UK
BORING Belgium has left observers stunned with a verging-on-the-interesting move of stopping nuclear exports to the UK.
The reliably dull nation sparked a fascinating row with Nato allies by blocking the sale of tech which is critical to Britain’s nuclear arsenal.
A handful of Belgian politicians vetoed the export of the equipment to handle radioactive waste in protest against the arms trade.
The surprise move was led by deputy PM Georges Gilkinet and colleagues in the Ecolo green party.
Georges-Louis Bouchez, the president of Belgium’s liberal MR party, called on the greens to “get a grip”.
He said: “Refusing the sale of equipment to Great
Britain is the greatest of dogmatic stupidity.”
And Christian Democrat
MP Georges Dallemagne added: “This is all the more outrageous given the UK’s consistent military involvement in Nato – and in particular in the Ukrainian conflict, where we should be following the example of our British allies.”
British military sources said the equipment was important to keep our weapons factory running smoothly.
A Royal Navy source insisted: “The equipment does not affect the continuous at-sea deterrent.”