Fraud-accused Southern Water boss appears in court
Summary
Matthew Wright, the former chief executive of Southern Water, appeared in court charged with conspiracy to defraud over claims that water quality tests were manipulated to avoid fines. He and six others are accused of faking "no-flow events" at wastewater treatment sites between 2012 and 2017, which could have helped them avoid penalties totaling £45 million or more.Key Facts
- Matthew Wright and six others appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on fraud charges.
- They are accused of faking "no-flow events," times when water flow was too low to test, to avoid failing environmental checks.
- The alleged actions took place from January 2012 to December 2017.
- The fraud involved tricking the Environment Agency and Ofwat, the water regulator.
- Southern Water supplies water and wastewater services to over four million customers in southern England.
- Southern Water itself faces many charges for not meeting environmental rules.
- The case will move to Maidstone Crown Court, with the next hearing on 9 October.
- Wright denies any wrongdoing and has cooperated with the investigation.
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