Legal Technicality Blocks Brent Spar Challenge

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

>> UK GOVERNMENT USES LEGAL TECHNICALITY TO BLOCK GREENPEACE

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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> UK GOVERNMENT USES LEGAL TECHNICALITY TO BLOCK GREENPEACE
          CHALLENGE ON DUMPING OF BRENT SPAR

LONDON, 24 May 1995 (GP) The High Court quashed any possibility
of a Greenpeace challenge to the UK Government's decision to
allow the dumping at sea of the Brent Spar oil platform in a
British court today.

The UK Government and Shell had argued that the case should be
heard in the Scottish courts.  After nearly a full day in court,
the judge ruled that the English courts had no jurisdiction over
the case despite the fact that he agreed Greenpeace would have no
standing in the Scottish courts.  The judge suggested the case be
taken to Scotland anyway.

"This decision, based on a legal technicality, means that no
British court can hear Greenpeace challenge the Government.  In
effect it is a decision by the UK Government to allow Shell to
dump toxic chemicals and radioactive waste at sea," said
Madeleine Cobbing of Greenpeace.  "If the Government could
justify what it is doing it could defend itself in court.  It is
obviously too frightened to argue the case with Greenpeace."
Criticism against Shell and the UK Government's plan to dump the
Brent Spar continues to grow with Germany adding its voice to
those of the EU Environment Commissioner, European Parliament
(EP), Denmark, Belgium, Iceland and even the UK's own Labour
Party.  The issue is likely to be hotly debated at the upcoming
meeting of the North Sea Conference in Denmark (June 8-9).

"The UK Government can still stop the dumping of the Brent Spar
if it has the courage to take the right decision.  We call on
them to respond to the International condemnation from other
Governments, and cancel the dumping of the Brent Spar
immediately."

As the last of the Brent Spar occupiers returned to the mainland,
Greenpeace pledged to continue its campaign against the dumping
of the Brent Spar and of all hazardous substances into the sea.
Calls from other North Sea States to eliminate the discharge of
hazardous substances into the sea are still being resisted by the
UK Government.  A Greenpeace report* released tomorrow reveals
that the UK is still the worst polluter of the North Sea.
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Contact:
Sue Cooper, Greenpeace UK: (44) 0171 354 5100
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: (44) 0171-833-0600
*"The North Sea - A Dirty Story" -- for copies, contact the
numbers above.