Tributes for Hugh Richards

Hugh Richards, one of the best anti-nuclear campaigners the UK has ever seen, died at home aged 65. I only met Hugh once in Manchester at a workshop for campaigners many years ago, but he made an impression and his work and energy campaigning has inspired.

Photo: Randwick woods

Hugh was by all accounts a tireless campaigner on what he believed to be is right, not just on environmental issues - but also around the rights of people with learning disabilities. I also learnt that he was a candidate for the Green Party in the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency in the 1992 general election.

Hugh's more recent work on the problems surrounding spent fuel from new nuclear build has presented the industry with some of its most challenging questions - questions they have yet to answer (if indeed they ever can). Just last year he persuaded the Welsh Assembly Government environment minister, Jane Davidson to support the call for a public inquiry into proposed nuclear new build in Wales.

As David Lowry notes in an obituary submitted to the Guardian: "His work will endure through the campaigns we continue to run." Read 'Wales News' here.