UK nuclear police and workers share WhatsApp jokes about paedophilia, racism and homophobia

Work-linked WhatsApp groups include abusive comments about political figures and television personalities

• Sellafield workers claim ‘toxic culture’ could put safety at risk

Specialist police officers and workers at some of the UK’s most secure nuclear sites have been sharing jokes about paedophilia, racism and homophobia in work-linked WhatsApp groups, the Guardian can reveal.

Images and messages reviewed by this newspaper show racist comments about public figures and politicians including a black Labour politician as well as homophobic images and conversations about the paedophiles Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris.