EDF decision on Hinkley goes to court

FIVE board members at energy giant EDF have filed a legal bid to scupper its plans to build a power station at Hinkley Point.

The court challenge is being made by workers’ representatives who sit on the board at French-owned EDF. It argues that boss Jean-Bernard Levy should delay the £18bn project.

The power station in Somerset has already been dealt a blow after Prime Minister Theresa May decided to delay a final decision to go ahead on the day EDF thought it would be approved.

Its board had voted ten to seven to proceed with the project, which would be the biggest construction site in Europe.

The board members allege Levy knew that the Prime Minister was going to postpone the building over concerns about the involvement of Chinese state-owned CGN. The unions argue that Levy should have told the board before the vote about the proposed delay.

Law firm Alain Levy, which represents the five union board members, said in a statement it had filed a complaint with the Paris commercial court, asking it to annul the vote. A first hearing in the case is scheduled for September 5 and a decision over Hinkley Point is now expected in the autumn.

EDF said it would not comment on the legal challenge.