Alex Bummer says that Sir Adrian Montague needs to step up at the water company

At this stage of Thames Water's life as a privatised utility, it is no longer a case of how such financial complexity proliferated, but how it can be dismantled. Thames Water needs a clean start, says ALEX BRUMMER, who says it needs a new start.

Sir Adrian Montague's presence at Thames Water was meant to ease financial tensions and leave chief executive Chris Weston to get on with dealing with the complex operational details. Montague must step up at the helm of the water giant. He has been in charge of Thames Water for 18 months.