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Environment Agency chair returns from Caribbean holiday amid criticism | Environment Agency chair returns from Caribbean holiday amid criticism |
(35 minutes later) | |
The head of the Environment Agency is returning from holiday in the Caribbean amid criticism about his absence from the UK as the body deals with some of the country’s worst flooding in decades. | |
After avoiding the question of Sir Philip Dilley’s whereabouts following reports he was at his luxury home on Barbados, the agency finally released a statement shortly before lunchtime on Tuesday saying he had spent Christmas on the island with his family. | |
Related: Storm Frank: more gales and downpours forecast as new floods threaten - live coverage | |
“He is keeping in regular touch with the Environment Agency on its response to the current flooding, and available to participate in any necessary discussions,” it said. “He has been in Barbados, where his family are from, and we’re expecting him back in the UK in the next 24 hours.” | |
The agency added that Dilley had “visited the north of England recently”, when he visited Cumbria on 14 December. | |
His predecessor Chris Smith faced severe criticism during flooding last year when he was accused of failing to visit flood-hit Somerset soon enough. | |
Dilley, a former executive chairman of the global design and professional services firm Arup, took the Environment Agency post in September last year. He earns £100,000 a year and spends two to three days a week in his role. | |
Related: Flood defences need complete rethink, says Environment Agency | |
Shortly after becoming chairman of the agency, Dilley made a promise to visit the scene of any serious flooding in the UK while he was at the helm, saying he had learned from the misfortune of Smith. | |
“I chair the board of the agency and I agree there is a sort of figurehead position that is crucial for perception,” he said in an interview. | |
The Labour MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk, was among those voicing criticism about Dilley’s absence this week. “I think it’s fair to ask why he has not visited the north of England over the past few days to explain what the agency is doing,” he told the Telegraph. “We should draw a comparison with the previous chairman, who did try to explain what the Environment Agency does.” |
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