Mr Wicks’ remarks come as the long-awaited energy review was believed to have concluded that nuclear is economically viable. The move could clear the way to the building of six new nuclear power stations to replace those being closed. Changes to the planning process of dealing with applications for new nuclear power stations as well as wind farms are expected to be included in the announcement. The apparent green light for nuclear energy has prompted strong opposition from environmental groups and campaigners. The Green Party published the results of a survey of 500 members of the public, which it said “dramatically” highlighted public opposition to a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Almost nine out of 10 people rejected the nuclear option, while 98% backed greater investment in renewable energy and 99% said more should be done to promote energy-saving measures in the home. “This puts paid to any suggestion that nuclear power is accepted as a necessary evil by the UK,” said party spokesman Keith Taylor. “Despite the Government’s ceaseless attempts to frame the debate as one of ‘nuclear, or the lights go out’, the British public are not convinced.” Most of those polled said they believed the Government had already made up its mind to support nuclear before launching its review earlier this year. Mr Taylor said the review had been an exercise in “consult and ignore” by Prime Minister Tony Blair, who announced in May his support for nuclear as part of the energy mix.

Stephen Tindale, executive director of Greenpeace, said: “Polls show that most people oppose nuclear power, even as a last resort. The Prime Minister seems to be the only one interested in having it as a first option.” Mr Tindale said Mr Blair was “fixated” with nuclear power, at the expense of other forms of energy. Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said: “The Energy Review is a golden opportunity to lead the world in the development of a low-carbon economy. “We can tackle climate change and meet our energy needs by cutting energy waste, harnessing the power of renewables and using fossil fuels more efficiently. With the wounds so fresh, she’s hitherto resisted invitations to talk about it, but today she will.”I’d guested there eight or 10 times,” she says, “and we had a great rapport. From the moment Alsop bounds on stage in her trademark grey suit with scarlet cuffs and collar, the packed auditorium is galvanised; giving back the energy she has been visibly drawing from the audience, she looks as though she’d happily go on conducting all night.This, she tells me the next morning, is how she forged the bond that led to her being chosen as principal guest conductor of the Scottish National Orchestra, and later at Bournemouth: “For some reason the musicians wanted me.” But that wasn’t so at Baltimore last year, was it? A rueful laugh: “Absolutely not.” In one of the biggest bust-ups in recent orchestral history, the Baltimore players reacted to news of her appointment with outright revolt.