The Environment Agency of England is under fire for refusing to disclose potential conflicts of interest among its directors concerning water companies, despite mounting pressure from activists and an investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), The Guardian revealed.
This follows criticism from Philip Duffy, the agency's head, who acknowledged burying freedom of information (FoI) requests due to concerns over the sensitive state of England's environment.
Campaigners, including Ash Smith from Windrush against Sewage Pollution (Wasp), have condemned the agency's stance, labeling it as unacceptable for withholding details of financial and business interests held by regional directors.
Smith's FoI request, aiming to uncover these potential conflicts, was rejected by the EA on the grounds that it lacked a lawful basis to meet the public interest. Smith argued vehemently against the agency's rationale, asserting that public scrutiny and transparency are essential, particularly in light of past instances where senior agency officials transitioned to roles within water companies amid environmental controversies.
One notable case involved a former EA operations director who moved to Southern Water amidst accusations of illegal sewage dumping, resulting in a record £90 million ($96 million) acceptable.
ICO on Environment Agency's Link to Water Compay
Meanwhile, the ICO has intervened. The commissioner's office cited the public's right to transparency under the Freedom of Information Act.
Last year, the EA faced enforcement measures from the ICO over its handling of FoI obligations, showing persistent concerns about compliance with statutory duties.
In response, an EA spokesperson reaffirmed the agency's commitment to regulatory compliance but defended its decision not to disclose non-executive employees' interests, citing legal and data protection constraints.
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