Environment Secretary Steve Reed found himself in a tough spot during a heated interview with Sky News presenter Kay Burley, as she pressed him on accepting football tickets from a company linked to Northumbrian Water. Reed was questioned about whether this association could compromise his objectivity as the government announces a new independent review of the UK’s water industry.
The Water Crisis: A Context for the Tough Questions
The interview began with Burley reminding Reed that Northumbrian Water was one of three water companies deemed “not fit for purpose” by the water regulator Ofwat. Northumbrian Water has faced criticism for its poor performance in dealing with sewage spills, with an average of 30.1 spills per overflow reported in 2023. Despite this, the company’s chief executive received a hefty bonus of £234,000 that year.
Given this backdrop, Burley’s questioning became more pointed as she asked why Reed had accepted football tickets from CK Hutchison Holdings, the parent company of Northumbrian Water. The minister appeared unprepared for the line of questioning, initially denying the allegation.
The Exchange: Reed’s Defence and Burley’s Pushback
Reed responded to Burley’s question by insisting, “I didn’t [accept tickets from the water company],” only to be reminded that CK Hutchison Holdings owns 75% of Northumbrian Water. Furthermore, Reed had declared £2,000 worth of football tickets and hospitality from the company in 2023.
Attempting to defend himself, Reed claimed that he wasn’t aware of the connection between the football tickets and Northumbrian Water. He added, “On that occasion there was nobody from the water company involved in offering those tickets.” However, Burley remained unsatisfied with this answer and asked, “Why didn’t you know that? You should have known that. So you didn’t know who you were taking tickets from?”
Reed admitted that the topic of ownership “didn’t come up” and assured Burley that the tickets had no bearing on his work. He asked to be judged by his actions, rather than this one incident, stating, “Judge me by what I do.”
But Burley cut in: “That is what you did!” She insisted that the minister should have known about CK Hutchison’s ownership and pressed further, reminding him that this happened as recently as December 2023, when Reed knew he would soon be in a position of power.
A Heated Response: Minister Defends Himself
Reed looked increasingly uncomfortable as the conversation progressed. He expressed frustration, claiming that Burley’s questions implied that he would go “soft on water companies” due to accepting the tickets. He firmly rejected this suggestion, but the tense exchange continued as Burley’s questioning grew more direct.
At one point, Burley pointed out, “It took my producer Sam five minutes to find that out.” She emphasised the importance of knowing these details, especially given Reed’s position of responsibility in overseeing water companies.
The exchange culminated with Burley asking Reed, “What makes you think you’re fit for your job?” Reed, visibly irritated, responded that the implications of the interview were unfair and untrue. He added, “With hindsight,” he would not have accepted the tickets, admitting that the situation had been a mistake.
The minister’s final remark, “I don’t think it’s helpful you’re able to ask me questions like this,” was met with disbelief by Burley, who laughed and replied: “Come on minister, blooming heck! Do your research, minister!”
Minister Under Fire: What This Means for Public Trust
The confrontation highlights ongoing public frustration with how the water industry is managed in the UK. Northumbrian Water, along with other companies, has faced severe criticism for its handling of sewage spills, yet bonuses continue to be awarded to executives. This, combined with Reed’s apparent lack of knowledge about the ownership of companies linked to the football tickets, raises further questions about accountability and transparency in government.
With the government’s independent review of the UK’s water industry underway, incidents like this do little to inspire public confidence that ministers are on top of the issues. The question remains: can the government truly hold water companies to account when such conflicts of interest appear?
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