Environment secretary Thérèse Coffey recently admitted she cannot end the sewage scandal, in what critics are calling a “complete abdication of duty”, in response a prank has been played on her.
It was revealed that even England’s most celebrated beaches are being marred by sewage, with Blue Flag areas in Sussex and Devon having experienced 8,500 hours of dumping last year.
Sewage bills
She admitted that upgrading the sewage network to stop spills could add hundreds of pounds each to people’s bills.
The Liberal Democrats’ environment spokesperson, Tim Farron, said: “It’s disgraceful that Thérèse Coffey is throwing in the towel in the fight to protect our rivers from filthy sewage dumping. This is a complete abdication of duty.
“The Conservatives are responsible for this sewage crisis after allowing water companies to dump sewage in our rivers for years. They need to take responsibility for fixing it. The public shouldn’t be forced to pay the price with our rivers and coasts ruined for generations to come.”
Blue plaque
Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey has been called out in her own constituency.
A ‘blue plaque’ was placed on a public toilet.
On the wall above the plaque is a white sign reading “Therese Coffey Bogs,” while the blue plaque itself reads: “Servicing the water industry. Therese Coffey. Sort of a Dr, but not really. Emptying your toilet into our rivers, creeks and Suffolk coastline. Praise Be.”
Related: Sewage: Tory Minister mocked for posing at ‘wild swimming’ area
