Environment Agency Boss Sir Philip Dilley resigns

The Environment Agency Chairman, Sir Philip Dilley, has resigned following criticism of his handling of the recent floods that have devastated parts of the UK.

Sir Philip came under fire for refusing to return from a family holiday in Barbados over Christmas as the country experienced the wettest month ever recorded.

Last week, Sir Philip told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that in hindsight, he would have been better to have cut short his holiday and return as quickly as he possibly could.

The Environment Agency also came under scrutiny amid accusations of misleading the public by saying Sir Philip was “at home with his family” but his wife is actually Jamaican.

Sir Philip denied making misleading statements “apart from approving the statement about my location over Christmas that in hindsight could have been clearer.”

In his resignation statement, he said: “My reason for resigning is that the expectations of the role have expanded to require the Chairman to be available at short notice throughout the year, irrespective of routine arrangements for deputy and executive cover. In my view this is inappropriate in a part-time non-executive position, and this is something I am unable to deliver.

“Furthermore the media scrutiny focused on me is diverting attention from the real issue of helping those whose homes and businesses have flooded, as well as the important matter of delivering a long-term flood defence strategy. This same media attention has also affected and intruded on my immediate family, which I find unacceptable.”

Sir Philip offered his support for the beleaguered Environment Agency and its “passionate” staff, describing it as “extremely competent and well run”.

Accepting Sir Philip’s resignation, Environment Secretary. Elizabeth Truss, said: “He has ably led the Environment Agency through some challenging times and leaves it a much better organisation, as shown in its excellent response to the recent flooding which saw staff working around the clock to protect and help thousands of people across the country.

“It is important that the Environment Agency continues to have a strong leadership team and its Chief Executive Sir James Bevan will continue his excellent work heading up the operational and day-to-day running of the organisation. The current Deputy Chairman, Emma Howard Boyd, has agreed to become Acting Chairman with immediate effect and will lead the board in holding the agency to account. We will begin the task of recruiting a permanent replacement in due course.”

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