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Ex-Water CEO Charged in Test Tampering Scandal
22 Jul
Summary
- Former Southern Water CEO faces charges over alleged test manipulation.
- Accusations involve defrauding Environment Agency and Ofwat.
- Case relates to alleged manipulation of water quality test results.
Matthew Wright, the former chief executive of Southern Water, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud, following allegations of manipulating water quality tests. The accusations suggest a deliberate plan to avoid millions in penalties from environmental and water regulators. Wright is charged alongside three former colleagues: Philip Barker, Clive Massey, and Mark Gregory.
These individuals allegedly conspired between 2012 and 2017 to defraud public duties concerning environmental and financial regulation. Their method reportedly involved creating artificial 'no-flow events' at wastewater treatment works to prevent accurate testing. Southern Water itself faces numerous charges for failing to comply with environmental permit conditions at multiple sites between 2013 and 2017.
Legal challenges concerning the validity of the summons against Wright have recently been dismissed by senior judges, lifting previous reporting restrictions. The case is scheduled to be heard at Medway Magistrates' Court on July 14. The operator self-monitoring scheme, which involves annual testing of treated effluent discharge, is central to the allegations.
