Mandelson defends dome ecology

Peter Mandelson last night said that PVC was the "safest and strongest" covering for the Millennium Dome following allegations by Greenpeace that the material was ecologically poisonous.

Mr Mandelson, the minister in charge of the dome at Greenwich, said the Millennium Experience Company had re-examined their plans after the Greenpeace protests and had confirmed that no sufficiently safe or strong alternative to PVC had been put forward. The company said that if the roof was eventually disposed of, it would be burnt in high-temperature incinerators which met EU standards on emissions.