Lib Dems demand Burnham’s new Chief of Staff be recused from Thames Water and nationalisation decisions over lobbying links
EMBARGO: 0001 Sunday 28th June 2026
The Liberal Democrats are demanding that Andy Burnham's incoming Chief of Staff, James Purnell, is recused from any involvement in government decisions on Thames Water's future, after it emerged he spent years advising the failed water company at Flint Global.
Purnell is expected to become Burnham's top aide in Downing Street, having stood down on Wednesday as chief executive of Flint Global, a City advisory firm that has worked closely with Thames Water and the wider regulated water industry.
It comes as Thames Water is on the brink of collapse, with the Government actively weighing up whether to bring the company into public ownership after objecting to a £10bn rescue deal from its shareholders. Flint is understood to be advising bondholders on the terms of that rescue package.
The Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for Thames Water to be brought into a special administration regime, led by spokesperson Tim Farron and Witney MP Charlie Maynard. The party put failing water companies and sewage pollution on the national agenda more widely during the 2024 election campaign.
The Liberal Democrats say it is untenable for someone who was paid to represent Thames Water's interests in Whitehall to walk straight into Downing Street and shape policy determining the company's future. These decisions will clearly affect millions of billpayers and the health of Britain's treasured rivers and seas.
Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, Tim Farron MP, said:
"Andy Burnham has previously talked up water industry reforms after Liberal Democrats put it on the national agenda. Now his first big appointment is someone who was, until this week, paid to lobby for one of the worst offenders.
"Before Burnham’s tenure has even started, we’re seeing a potential conflict of interest within his top team. 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, and that the era defined by Peter Mandelson’s lobbying links is well and truly over.
"If Burnham wants to prove he is serious about cleaning up our broken water industry, he needs to walk the walk. He should heed Liberal Democrat calls to immediately place Thames Water into a Special Administration Regime and then transform it into a mutual that serves customers and the environment, not vulture capital funds.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Details about James Purnell’s role with Thames Water can be found on the following links:
