The chairman of the Environment Agency has said he wished he had returned earlier from a Christmas holiday in Barbados to help deal with flooding in northern England.
Sir Philip Dilley has faced criticism for holidaying in the Caribbean over Christmas while more flooding hit parts of England, and for a statement put out by the Environment Agency suggesting he was at home with his family.
Environment Agency chairman Sir Philip Dilley said with hindsight, he wishes he had returned to the UK from his Barbados holiday sooner as the flooding crisis unravelled.
He was forced to defend himself over criticism for his holiday as he appeared before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - but said he does not feel guilty.
He told MPs the extent of the crisis did not become clear until Boxing Day, and he began to investigate flights back the following day - and arrived in the UK on December 29.
He insisted his role was largely one of oversight, and said the team on the ground had dealt with the situation in the best way they could.
Sir Dilley said he continues to work remotely while in the Caribbean, as his wife comes from there and they own a home there.
"I do feel at home there," he said, in response to questions over why an Environment Agency statement on his whereabouts - which he admitted he approved personally - said he was 'at home with family'.
The water's gone and the politicians have started arguing, writes Martin Geissler - but what next for those left devastated by the floods?
Environment Agency boss Sir Philip Dilley is to be quizzed by MPs about the recent flooding.