Chair of UK environmental agency quits

The chairman of the UK’s Environmental Agency has resigned amid a storm of criticism over his handling of the floods in the north of the country.

Sir Philip Dilley, who came under fire for his decision to holiday in the Bahamas even as parts of the UK were hit by floods over Christmas, said in a statement on Monday:

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.

The flooding in Northumberland and parts of Scotland came as the Met Office recorded December as Britain’s wettest month since it began compiling records in 1910.

Sir Philip also attacked what he called “unacceptable” media coverage:

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.