Hinkley investment decision soon, says EDF chief after finance director resigns

Thomas Piquemal's departure intensifies the feeling of crisis surrounding the project

The chief executive of EDF said he wants to reach a final decision soon on investing in Britain's Hinkley Point nuclear power plant after the resignation of his finance director cast further doubt on the French energy company's ability to fund the 18bn project.

Jean-Bernard Levy said he regretted the "hastiness" of Thomas Piquemal's departure as finance chief. Piquemal resigned because he believed pursuing the world's most expensive nuclear project could threaten the group, whose finances are already stretched by rising debt.