[7] The Independent published an editorial comparing the event to the Northeast blackout of 2003, which had happened two weeks previously in the USA and Canada, and accusing National Grid of under-investment.
[8] London Underground was accused by unions of putting passengers at risk, having closed its own power station at Lots Road as part of the privatisation of its electricity supply.
[3]: 31 When the transformer at Hurst was isolated, the current in the circuit increased to 1,460 A — significantly below the 4,450 A operating capacity of the underground cable, but sufficient to cause the incorrectly-sized protection relay to trip.
[3]: 14 After the incident, an anonymous engineer highlighted the oil leak to the press, indicating that it was spotted some weeks before the blackout, and accusing National Grid of poor maintenance.
[9] The Ofgem report found that National Grid had been aware of the leak since March 2003, and had decided to manage it by periodically refilling the oil until scheduled maintenance.