Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins had to cut her news report short as breaking news took priority.
During her segment, Charlotte abruptly stopped to disclose an investigation into Thames Water for delays in environmental improvement schemes.
Before this interruption, Charlotte was in conversation with Ellie Pitt, who was reporting from France about a tragic incident where a British couple was found deceased.
Ellie remarked: “They found cash in the couple’s bedroom, so it will still be a few days because officers are waiting for the results of further tests before they make any final conclusions about what they think happened here.”
Responding to the correspondent, Charlotte said: “Ellie, thank you very much for that update,” just as a breaking news alert appeared on-screen behind her, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Charlotte then resumed, “Some breaking news now. In the last few minutes, Ofwat has announced it is opening an enforcement case against Thames Water.”
The investigation will delve into the failure of the company to fulfil environmental improvement schemes over the past five years.
Thames Water had pledged 812 schemes but conceded that 100 might not be ready by the end of March this year.
Concluding the announcement, the GMB presenter stated: “Once Ofwat has fully investigated, it will publish detailed findings and where appropriate any proposed action to remedy any identified breaches.”
Lynn Parker, Ofwat’s senior director for enforcement, has spoken out about the investigation into Thames Water, stating: “Customers have paid for Thames Water to carry out these essential environmental schemes.”
She emphasised the regulatory body’s commitment to upholding legal standards by adding, “We take any indication that water companies are not meeting their legal obligations very seriously. Therefore, we have launched an investigation to understand whether the delayed delivery of environmental schemes means that Thames Water has breached its obligations.”
“If we find reason to act, we will use our full range of powers to hold Thames to account for any failures and will require them to put things right.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.