Sellafield Ltd pleads guilty to cyber security offences

Sellafield has pleaded guilty to all charges of cyber security offences.

A Sellafield Ltd spokesman says, 'We have pleaded guilty to all charges and cooperated fully with [Office for Nuclear Regulation] ONR throughout this process.

'The charges relate to historic offences and there is no suggestion that public safety was compromised.

'As the issue remains the subject of active court proceedings, we are unable to comment further.'

An ONR spokesman has acknowledged the guilty plea.

They concurred, ‘There is no evidence that any vulnerabilities have been exploited.

‘As the details of the case have yet to be heard in court, we are unable to provide further comments at this stage. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 2pm on Thursday 8 August at Westminster Magistrates Court.’

This plea follows ONR intention to prosecute on 28 March this year.

The ONR notified Sellafield Ltd that it would be prosecuted under the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003.

The charges relate to alleged information technology security offences during a four-year period between 2019 and early 2023.

The plea is the result of the first hearing on Thursday 20 June 2024, also at Westminster Magistrates Court in London.