Questions about the possible threat of terrorist sabotage on convoys transporting Hunterston power station waste have been raised with the body that regulates the nuclear industry.

Dr David Lowry, a member of the Nuclear Waste Advisory Associates, asked to see copies of documents relating to cross country transport of radioacive waste between Hunterston and Torness.

His Freedom of Information request went to the Office for Nuclear Regulation. But after receiving a reply, he complained that they did not answer his queries properly — and now an appeal has found in his favour.

The move by Dr Lowry adds a new twist to the debate over EDF’s controversial proposals for transferring Intermediate Level Waste. They have requested a licence from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency who in turn are seeking the public’s views on the proposals.

In an email to the Office for Nuclear Regulation in July, Dr Lowry wrote: “Please would you send me under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 full documentation, including internal e-mails, minutes of meetings, aides-memoires telephone conversations and any other relevant material in respect of the ONR discussions with EDF in respect of the cross country transport of radioactive waste between Hunterston and Torness nuclear power plants in Scotland; in particular on the threat of terrorist sabotage of any convoy.

"Please excise any detail that might assist a potential adversary, but include all instances of such communications.” But he was disappointed with the reply and complained it did not fully address his FOI application.

He replied: “Although I asked for any information on these transports, you have solely replied by outlining the statutory position. Despite stating ONR has not been involved in discussions on the security aspects of the proposed transports, (which does surprise and really concern me) the reply does not say whether or not ONR holds any information covered by my FOI questions, in addition to security aspects.” As a result, he asked for an internal review.

Now, an appeals officer told Dr Lowry that in his view the ONR failed to explain whether or not it held the requested information and he recommended the search be repeated and a new response sent out.

The officer recommends that an apology be issued to Dr Lowry if qualifying information is found.