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The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Bruce MPLiberal Democrat MP for Gordon |
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Government falls short on Equitable Life responsibilities
May 6, 2009 6:00 PM
Ombudsman report expresses 'deep disappointment' on lack of Government action
Following Parliamentary Ombudsman, Ann Abraham's second report into the collapse of Equitable Life 'Injustice Unremedied' laid before both Houses of Parliament today, North east MPs Malcolm Bruce and Sir Robert Smith expressed their dismay that the Government refused to follow the Ombudsman's key recommendation.
Bruce- "Ann Abraham's report is a damning indictment on a Government who refuses to listen and has totally lost touch with the public mood."
The report follows the previous one by the Ombudsman of July 2008 which had two central recommendations namely: that an apology be issued to stakeholders affected and; that an appropriate compensation scheme be established. The latest report assesses the Government's response to that report.
Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon said:
"Ann Abraham's report is a damning indictment on a Government who refuses to listen and has totally lost touch with the public mood.
"Over 500 Equitable Life policyholders in Gordon who are the victims of the Government's recognised maladministration, now face an even longer wait for the conclusions of the flawed Chadwick process which has already been criticised by the Ombudsman."
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP, Sir Robert Smith added:
"The ombudsman has rightly pointed out that the Government has broken the link between the injustice of the Equitable Life collapse and the prospect of any remedy. Simply apologising for the maladministration will bring little comfort to nearly 700 policyholders in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine who have suffered.
"In the current financial crisis we need a positive response from the Government if it is to give people the confidence to save again. This is yet another example of a Government that cannot accept criticism."
***ENDS***