AN anti-nuclear campaigner has been accused of scaremongering by using the earthquake-stricken nuclear reactor in Japan in the fight to stop a new plant at Bradwell.

The huge earthquake and tsunami last week led to two explosions at a plant in Fukushima, Japan.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the area and at least 22 people were said to be undergoing treatment for radiation exposure.

Professor Andy Blowers, chairman of Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (Banng), said the incident was proof nuclear power was too dangerous.

But Miriam Lewis, a Maldon district councillor, said: “However Banng tries to dress up its pseudo-intellectual scaremongering intentions, making political gain out of such a tragedy as has occurred in Japan is disgusting. Any interest I may have had in understanding the Banng point of view has just disintegrated.”

Land next to Bradwell nuclear power station, which is being decommisioned, is likely to be sold to another developer to build a new nuclear station.

Prof Blowers, from West Mersea, which is across the Blackwater estuary from the site, said: “The nuclear industry will argue that it cannot happen here, that the power stations planned for Britain are much safer, and we do not have massive earthquakes or tsunamis.

“But Japan’s nuclear stations were declared safe and earthquake proof – until Fukushima.

“Confidence in the pronouncements of the nuclear industry, which was never high, has now been totally shattered.”

Prof Blowers said even tsunamis triggered elsewhere could not be ruled out and seismic activity was not unknown in the local area.

He added: “The only way to avoid the possibility of another Chernobyl or Fukushima is to abandon the nuclear folly. We do not need it; it is far too dangerous.”