Statement from David Campbell Bannerman MEP

My office has been in regular liaison with Greenpeace and relevant bodies.

They are now fully informed of developments and we expect them to alert Turkish authorities to apparent breaches in certification with regard to hazardous waste.

The intention is to have Turkey refuse the ship. I will also be raising the matter directly with the Turkish Government on Monday through their Brussels embassy.

The former Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fortoya has written to the towing company, which is Polish, and a director of that company has confirmed receipt of that appeal and the issues we have raised. I believe they will be sympathetic to our concerns.

I am encouraged by progress so far, and my understanding is that if the ship can be turned around off Turkey, we now have sufficient financial and political support to see her returned to long term preservation in the UK - which is her rightful place. I will be doing all I can to deliver that outcome.