Citizen’s Arrest Network Engage Law Firm Leigh Day for Prosecution of Thames Water CEO

Leading Human Rights law firm Leigh Day has taken on Citizen’s Arrest Network as a client, to seek prosecution of Thames Water CEO Chris Weston.

The firm is preparing evidence on behalf of Citizen’s Arrest Network for submission to Thames Valley Police, in support of Citizen’s Arrest Network’s aim to prosecute Chris Weston for Public Nuisance. This may lead to the Police mounting their own investigation, before launching an indictment and subsequent prosecution of Weston for his role in pollution of UK waterways.

The firm is expected to state: “Our client, Citizen’s Arrest Network, proposes that this evidence meets the evidentiary level for Public Nuisance on both a corporate and individual level and requires the police to investigate as such”.

Earlier this year, new laws were introduced that would see “water bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills sent to prison for two years”. Citizen’s Arrest Network continues to call out for whistleblowers to come forward and share evidence or testimony that may hold Water Executives accountable for pollution.¹²

In response to this new development, Rachel Whyte, who delivered an evidence dossier in March this year to the Thames Water headquarters, said:

“Ship captains who spill toxic oil are prosecuted, and in Italy the executives that oversee chemical dumps are jailed. But over here executives like Chris Weston make millions from pumping sewage into our waterways. They were protected by the corporate veil, but this must change. Weston is only the start.” ³⁴

The evidence includes 7 counts of public nuisance against Weston, a crime that carries a 10 year maximum sentence. The charges focus on unsafe infrastructure, unsafe drinking water, environmental damage and illegal sewage spills, which pose a risk to the public's access to clean water, and mismanagement of funds following bill increases and Weston’s bonus ban.

Earlier this year, evidence dossiers were handed to the Headquarters of Thames Water, and called the police to the scene, who agreed there was evidence of public nuisance at the time. Last week the group returned to the Headquarters to try to Citizen’s Arrest Weston, but he evaded them stating he “hadn’t done anything wrong, he was trying to fix the problems” ⁵

In March, Thames Valley police did take on the case to investigate Weston for Public Nuisance. However, they were later asked to pause the investigation by Whyte, while Citizen’s Arrest Network gathered more evidence. This evidence is now being handled by Leigh Day.

Leigh Day has a well-established track record for taking polluters to task. Already this month they lodged a High Court claim against Avara Foods Limited, Freemans of Newent Limited, and Welsh Water for “extensive and widespread pollution in the rivers Wye and Lugg and their tributaries”, with “Welsh Water…blamed for pollution in the river Usk”. The law firm is also involved in litigations on behalf of underpaid workers, associated with the ongoing Birmingham Bin Strike, as well as representing large numbers of ASDA workers who are on track to receive £1.2 billion in compensation.⁶⁷⁸

This follows a string of actions from the group, with a citizens arrest made on CEO of Anglian Water Mark Thurston this month on his way to work, and 8 water company headquarters across the UK where CEOs were handed evidence dossiers, which outlined the damage of water pollution their companies have committed and the effect this has on the public and their access to clean water. On each occasion the Police have been called, often with them attending the scene, but no final arrests being made, despite the evidence being clear.

The Citizen’s Arrest Network is a nonviolent organisation pursuing prosecution against CEOs that are responsible for their organisations mismanagement, while also pursuing legal action against the CEOs with the hope that they will finally see jail time for their crimes against the environment and poor management of the public's finances. Following today’s announcement against the Thames Water CEO, they plan to carry out similar cases against others.

-ENDS-

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