Calls for Burnham adviser to be barred from water rescue plans over lobbying link

Andy Burnham has been urged to keep his top pick to run a No 10 operation away from decisions on Thames Water’s future – because of the candidate’s lobbying links to the troubled utility company.

James Purnell resigned as chief executive of Flint Global – a City advisory firm whose clients include members of the water industry – on Wednesday, and is expected to join Burnham’s team if the newly elected MP becomes prime minister.

But, the Liberal Democrats are demanding that Purnell be recused from any potential decisions on Thames Water, arguing that someone previously paid to represent the company’s interests cannot help shape the policy that decides its fate.

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Flint’s website says it advises “regulated water companies and major institutional investors”, and the firm is understood to have advised a group of Thames Water’s bondholders as the company sought to agree a rescue deal.

The call comes at a critical moment for Thames Water, the country’s largest water company, which serves about 15 million people and is struggling under debts of around £15bn.

Ministers are now weighing up whether to place it into a special administration regime – a form of temporary public ownership – having objected to a £10bn rescue plan put forward by its investors. That plan would have kept Thames Water in private hands, with its shareholders and creditors funding the bailout rather than the taxpayer.

The alternative being considered would see the Government step in directly – likely at a heavy cost. The Treasury estimates that taking on Thames Water would require between £3.4bn and £4.1bn over the first 18 months, according to figures reported by The Guardian.

Thames Water has been weakened by years of mounting debt, and its interest payments alone are expected to reach £1.1bn this year. The position worsened in April when its parent company, Kemble Water, defaulted on a £190m loan, prompting regulators to begin planning for a possible public rescue.

The company is now reliant on emergency funding from shareholders and on bill increases approved by the regulator, Ofwat, which has permitted rises of about 35 per cent by 2030 – lifting the average annual bill from £436 to £588.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, said Burnham’s “first big appointment is someone who was, until this week, paid to lobby for one of the worst offenders” – a reference to Thames Water’s record on sewage discharges and pollution fines.

“Before Burnham’s tenure has even started, we’re seeing a potential conflict of interest within his top team,” he added.

“James Purnell must be completely recused from Thames Water matters, and decisions around wider water policy. The public needs to know exactly what conflict-of-interest safeguards are being put in place before he sets foot in Downing Street.”

Farron said that if “Burnham wants to prove he is serious about cleaning up our broken water industry, he needs to walk the walk” by heeding Liberal Democrat calls to immediately place Thames Water into a special administration regime and removing shareholder involvement.

Burnham has backed bringing Thames Water into public ownership, telling The Guardian this month that nationalisation of the company “should be done”, but has not formally confirmed what action he would take should he become prime minister.

Flint said Purnell had severed his ties to the firm. In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “James has resigned from Flint. James has recused himself from all client activity and will have no ongoing financial interest in the company of any kind.

“James’s decision to join Burnham’s team is entirely his own and one we fully respect.”

Burnham, who returned to the House of Commons on 22 June after winning the Makerfield by-election, is widely considered the clear favourite to replace Keir Starmer following his resignation as Prime Minister.

Nominations for the leadership contest to replace Starmer open on 9 July and close on 16 July. If no rival stands, he could take office on 17 July.