Former Southern Water chief executive Matthew Wright has been charged with conspiracy to defraud authorities over allegations he was involved in a plan to manipulate water quality tests to avoid millions of pounds in penalties. The summons was issued last year, but Wright launched a legal challenge, which was dismissed by two senior judges on Wednesday, allowing the case to be reported.
Details of the Charges
Wright, 60, from Haslemere, Surrey, is accused alongside three others: Philip Barker, 57, of Chiltington, West Sussex; Clive Massey, 64, of Brandhill, Shropshire; and Mark Gregory, 63, of Southampton. They are charged with conspiring between 2012 and 2017 to defraud the Environment Agency (EA) and water regulator Ofwat by implementing artificial no-flow events at wastewater treatment works.
Legal Challenge Dismissed
Wright's lawyers argued in the High Court in June that the EA did not have the power to issue the summons. However, Lord Justice Popplewell and Mr Justice Hilliard ruled on Wednesday that the EA can prosecute any offence if it is calculated to facilitate its functions. The judge described the allegations as “very serious criminal misconduct,” including arranging for wastewater to be removed by tankers to create no-flow results, covering up pollution, and deceiving regulators.
Additional Charges
Southern Water has also been charged with dozens of offences of failing to comply with environmental permit conditions between 2013 and 2017. Three individuals—Terry Stephens, David James, and Mark Butler—face separate charges related to permit breaches. The case is scheduled for Medway Magistrates’ Court on July 14.
EA Response
An EA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are taking criminal proceedings against Southern Water Services Limited and a number of former employees. We take our responsibility to protect the environment very seriously and will always pursue and prosecute those alleged to have committed serious offending against the environment. We welcome this important judgment.”
