ACTIVISTS have sought to influence Environment Secretary Steve Reed by copying tactics deployed by water companies: inviting him to the football.

In a stunt supported by utility campaign group We Own It, constituent Lois Davis invited Mr Reed, her MP, to see this season’s final Crystal Palace home game in a bid to get him to “play fair” on privatised water.

Arriving at Defra on Tuesday, they carried a giant match-day ticket inviting the minister to the game to discuss how to fix the privatised water crisis.

Ms Davis said: “I’ve written, petitioned, and protested to make him understand that private water doesn’t work and we need our water back in public hands. But he isn’t shifting.

“I reckon the only way to get Steve to see sense on public ownership of water is to do what the private water companies have done: take him to a football match and bend his ear.”

The action comes after Mr Reed accepted £1,800 in football hospitality from a company with a stake in Northumbria Water. 

A Defra spokesperson said: “The government has no plans to nationalise water companies. It would cost billions of pounds and take years to unpick the current ownership model, during which time sewage pollution would only get worse.

“Instead, we are taking urgent action by passing the landmark Water Act, which means polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison and undeserved multi-million-pound bonuses will no longer be paid.

“A record £104 billion in private investment has also been secured to upgrade and build new sewage pipes to help clean up our waterways for good.”

Lead campaigner at We Own It Matthew Topham said: “Our brilliant supporters have pitched in and crowdfunded some football tickets. 

”We thought we’d try the lobbyists’ tactic and dole out some football hospitality of our own — though it’s more likely to be a pie and a cup of bovril on offer than caviar and champagne.”

“The serious point here is that Mr Reed continues to ignore the 82 per cent of Brits who want water in public ownership. 

“We’re giving the Environment Secretary a yellow card for cosying up to the water bosses. If he continues to ignore the public on this, the crowd might just turn on him.”