LIB DEMS PUSH GOVERNMENT ON EQUITABLE LIFE CONCLUSION

4.36.16pm GMT Fri 5th Dec 2008

MP for Hereford Paul Keetch expressed concern after a Westminster Hall debate. The debate, organised by fellow Liberal Democrat Jo Swinson MP gave members of all parties the opportunity to debate this long outstanding issue.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman's report, which was published in July 2008 after 4 years of detailed investigation, made very clear recommendations that there should be a public apology and that the Government should establish and fund a compensation scheme.

However the Government has continually sought to delay the actions needed to bring the Equitable Life saga to close. "After 8 years and 13 reports, the Government must realise that Equitable Life policyholders are not going to give up," Mr Keetch said "it is a truly sad statistic that over 30,000 Equitable Life policyholders have died since the events of 2000, for them justice delayed has been justice denied.

"The time has now come for the Government to face up to its responsibilities to Equitable Life policyholders, and it is for the sake of justice for policyholders, the credibility of the Parliamentary Ombudsman and for the confidence of those saving for retirement, that the Liberal Democrats are demanding that the Chancellor now names the date on which the Government will make its response."

Paul Keetch continued, "I deplore this unacceptable delay by the Government. My Lib Dem colleagues and I will do all we can to urge them to announce their decision as soon as possible."