Ex-Southern Water Boss Charged With Conspiracy To Defraud Over Water Tests

Former Southern Water chief executive Matthew Wright has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency and Ofwat over allegations that water quality tests were manipulated to avoid millions of pounds in penalties, according to BBC reported. Wright is accused alongside Philip Barker, Clive Massey and Mark Gregory of conspiring between 2012 and 2017 to defraud public officials by implementing artificial no-flow events at wastewater treatment works. The legal challenge Wright brought against the summons was dismissed by two senior judges, who also ruled reporting restrictions on the case should be lifted. Court listings also show Southern Water has separately been charged with dozens of offences for alleged permit breaches at multiple wastewater treatment works between 2013 and 2017.