Thames Water Tries to Make MP Pay £1,400 an Hour in Legal Fees as "Retaliation"
In a shocking move, Britain's biggest water company has attempted to have a Liberal Democrat MP forced to pay its legal fees of up to £1,400 per hour for representing the public interest in court. Thames Water argued that Charlie Maynard should be made personally liable for the costs after he appealed against an investor bailout approved by the government.
The utility giant, which is on the verge of collapse with a net debt of £17 billion, had its lawyers claim that Maynard's actions were "an act of retribution" and sought to "deter" future appeals. However, the UK's highest court rejected Thames Water's arguments, stating that there was "no reason at all" why Maynard should not pay his costs.
Maynard described the move as "retaliation" for pushing for government control over the crisis-hit utility, with many regarding it as a clear attempt to silence debate about Thames Water's state-sanctioned rip-off. The company's lenders, including combative American firms Elliott Investment Management and Silver Point Capital, have effectively taken over the business and backed Thames Water's decision to pursue Maynard for costs.
The huge legal bill, which included fees of up to £1,400 per hour, was dwarfed by Thames Water's spending on lawyers, bankers, consultants, and public relations advisers. The company's spokesperson claimed that all parties were responsible for their own costs, but critics see it as an attempt to punish the MP for standing up for billpayers.
The case has raised concerns about the government's handling of the crisis-hit utility and its willingness to take on big corporations like Thames Water. Campaign group We Own It described the move as "disgusting" and called for urgent action, stating that Thames Water should be taken into special administration right now.
As the situation continues to unfold, Maynard remains relieved but also frustrated by the government's failure to act decisively in addressing the crisis. The water company's decision to pursue him for costs has sparked outrage among campaigners and critics, who see it as a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices.
In a shocking move, Britain's biggest water company has attempted to have a Liberal Democrat MP forced to pay its legal fees of up to £1,400 per hour for representing the public interest in court. Thames Water argued that Charlie Maynard should be made personally liable for the costs after he appealed against an investor bailout approved by the government.
The utility giant, which is on the verge of collapse with a net debt of £17 billion, had its lawyers claim that Maynard's actions were "an act of retribution" and sought to "deter" future appeals. However, the UK's highest court rejected Thames Water's arguments, stating that there was "no reason at all" why Maynard should not pay his costs.
Maynard described the move as "retaliation" for pushing for government control over the crisis-hit utility, with many regarding it as a clear attempt to silence debate about Thames Water's state-sanctioned rip-off. The company's lenders, including combative American firms Elliott Investment Management and Silver Point Capital, have effectively taken over the business and backed Thames Water's decision to pursue Maynard for costs.
The huge legal bill, which included fees of up to £1,400 per hour, was dwarfed by Thames Water's spending on lawyers, bankers, consultants, and public relations advisers. The company's spokesperson claimed that all parties were responsible for their own costs, but critics see it as an attempt to punish the MP for standing up for billpayers.
The case has raised concerns about the government's handling of the crisis-hit utility and its willingness to take on big corporations like Thames Water. Campaign group We Own It described the move as "disgusting" and called for urgent action, stating that Thames Water should be taken into special administration right now.
As the situation continues to unfold, Maynard remains relieved but also frustrated by the government's failure to act decisively in addressing the crisis. The water company's decision to pursue him for costs has sparked outrage among campaigners and critics, who see it as a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices.
Thames Water trying to charge an MP £1,400 an hour in legal fees is just ridiculous! Back in my day... well, I wasn't around back then, but I've heard of these kinds of things going on. It's like they think the MP is their personal piggy bank or something. And for what? To silence debate about them ripping off customers? Give me a break! 
The government needs to step in and take control of this mess, not let the big corporations run wild. It's all just a bunch of corporate greed and nonsense... 
I'm not buying this one. Up to £1,400 an hour is straight theft 
. If they can do that to Charlie Maynard, what's next? Their lawyers must have spent more hours than the MPs' on their briefs alone. And don't even get me started on the financials - a net debt of £17 billion and yet they still manage to fiddle with the taxpayer's money like this 
. How many people do we know who've had their lives ruined by these water companies? I'm surprised there aren't more protests. Can someone find out what specifically led to this decision and just spout out a source? Need some credible info to back up all this 
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they're not gonna let some MP stand up for the people without getting taken down a peg 
and now we got these super rich American firms backing them up, what's the real agenda here? 
this is getting out of hand! Thames Water trying to slap Charlie Maynard with a £1,400 per hour legal bill for just doing his job? That's insane 
it's like they think they're above the law or something 
I mean, come on! £1,400 an hour is insane! It's like they're trying to break the MP financially just because he's speaking out against them. And for what? To silence debate about the whole crisis-hit situation? No way, that's not how it works. The government needs to step in and sort this mess out, not let big corporations like Thames Water get away with it. It's all about who's got the power and influence here... 
. And now they're gonna punish him for it? 
. Give me a break, Thames Water! We own this situation 
.
The whole thing is just a big mess, and now we're seeing the ugly side of corporate greed. I'm not surprised the government couldn't do anything about it, though – that's what makes them like, you know, the government! But seriously, who pays these crazy lawyer fees? The water company's investors, right? 
Thames Water thinks they can take out their frustrations on some poor MP? That's just nasty 
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. And what really gets my goat is that these big lenders are backing them up - it's all about lining their pockets and avoiding accountability 
. This case is a wake-up call for them to take control of the crisis and hold these corporations accountable for their actions 
.
. And honestly, who does their PR team think they are? Trying to spin this as "all parties being responsible" is just a load of BS 
. We Own It is spot on with this call for urgent action - Thames Water needs to be held accountable for their actions and we need a government that's willing to stand up to them 
this is insane 
but honestly, I'm so relieved that the high court rejected their arguments 
now it's clear that they're not above the law