Documents obtained by @channel4news reveal that the government discussed with the regulator how pollution warnings could be 'better presented' to avoid adding fuel to negative media and campaign narratives around raw sewage. Additionally, a scoop using Freedom of Information by Helena Horton uncovered that chairs of the Environment Agency and Ofwat were regularly taken for dinner in private clubs by water companies, indicating a potential case of 'regulatory capture'. This has sparked outrage, with demands for resignations and accusations of regulatory capture and malpractice.
😡 A mindboggling example of regulatory capture Water bosses met Ofwat & the Environment Agency chairs at a private members' club to discuss "how to quell public anger over bill rises and sewage spills" Privatisation has failed. We need public ownership. https://t.co/iOBFS9sS58
‼️Watchdogs take water bosses to dirty dinner💩 @Feargal_Sharkey accuses Govt of regulatory capture & demands resignations @RiverActionUK: They threaten prosecution then guzzle wine as we wade through poisonous effluent of their malpractice & ineptitude https://t.co/3afkbwdNHG
Incredible scoop using FoI by Helena Horton – chairs of the Environment Agency and Ofwat regularly being taken for dinner in private clubs by water companies. A textbook example of "regulatory capture". https://t.co/GVKGhxCqbQ
Exclusive: Documents obtained by @channel4news show the government discussed with the regulator how pollution warnings could be “Better presented” There was concerns they were “adding fuel to the persistent negative narrative from the media and campaign groups around raw sewage" https://t.co/rt8NotJRZQ
Our former public assets have been ripped off and abused for decades (as have their employees). Take back control? Start with Royal Mail, then water & rail. https://t.co/cHTbaOnUec