Thames tried to make MP representing public pay its huge court case legal fees

Thames Water argued that an MP should be forced to pay its hefty legal costs after he represented the interests of the British public in court, a move he described as “retaliation” for pushing for government control of the crisis-hit utility, the Guardian can reveal.

- Jasper Jolly

The UK’s highest court this week rejected Thames Water’s arguments that Charlie Maynard, a Liberal Democrat MP, should pay legal fees as high as £1,400 an hour.

Britain’s biggest water company has been on the verge of collapse for several years as it struggles under the weight of net debt of £17bn, built up over decades since privatisation.

Thames Water’s effective owners have asked for 15 years of leniency from environmental fines from the government to try to recover.

Maynard was granted unusual permission to represent the public interest in a court battle over an investor bailout for Thames Water. The bailout was approved, but Maynard appealed, arguing that the company, which serves 16 million customers in London and southeast England, should be taken into temporary government control.

Thames Water’s barristers argued that he should be made personally liable for its expensive legal fees to “deter” future appeals to the supreme court.

The utility’s lenders, led by a group of hedge funds including combative American firms Elliott Investment Management and Silver Point Capital, have in effect taken over the business.