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 and avoid millions of pounds in penalties. He is accused alongside three others of conspiring to defraud the Environment Agency (EA) and water regulator Ofwat.
What is Matthew Wright accused of?
Wright is accused of being involved in a plan to manipulate water quality tests so Southern Water could avoid millions of pounds in penalties. The Environment Agency previously asked a judge to issue a summons against Wright, charging him with the offence, along with Philip Barker, Clive Massey and Mark Gregory.
What happened in court?
The summons was issued last year, but Wright launched a legal challenge that was dismissed by two senior judges on Wednesday. Wright's lawyers told the High Court in June that the EA did not have the power to issue the summons and it should be thrown out.
But the judges dismissed his claim and ruled restrictions previously preventing reporting of the legal challenge should be lifted.
When is the case due to be heard?
Separate court listings showed the case against 60-year-old Wright, of Haslemere, Surrey, Barker, 57, of Chiltington, West Sussex, 64-year-old Massey, of Brandhill, Shropshire, and 63-year-old Gregory, of Southampton, were scheduled to be heard at Medway Magistrates' Court on 14 July.
