UK leader demands urgent funding to clean illegal waste dump threatening River Cherwell.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is urging the UK government to immediately fund the cleanup of a large illegal waste dump near Kidlington, Oxfordshire, warning it threatens the River Cherwell. The dump, on private land and up to 12 feet high, may cost over £25 million to remove—equivalent to Cherwell District Council’s annual budget. Davey and local officials stress urgent action is needed to prevent environmental damage, despite the "polluter pays" principle, as the waste’s contents are unknown. The Environment Agency, responsible for the cleanup, requires immediate national funding to act.