Lib Dem pensions spokesman tells Warrington Equitable Life victims the fight will continue

2.01.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th May 2009

Pictured: Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, Warrington South Liberal Democrat Prospective MP Jo Crotty, and Mr Chris Harlow from Equitable Life Members Action Group (EMAG).

A visiting MP has sent a message to over 1000 Warrington residents who lost money through saving with Equitable Life that the campaign to bring them justice is being stepped up.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions Steve Webb MP held an open meeting for Equitable Life policyholders and other concerned citizens at The Gateway community centre in Warrington's Town Centre Friday.

Hosted by Warrington South Liberal Democrat Prospective MP Jo Crotty, Mr Webb explained the steps being taken by the all-party parliamentary group after the Parliamentary Ombudsman's damning assessment of the Labour Government's response to her report on the collapse of Equitable.

"In her report, the Ombudsman has said quite clearly that the government's response to her findings was inadequate," said Mr Webb. "The government have only committed to compensating a few policyholders rather than all."

"She has used strong language that says the government has twisted her findings. The government simply has to take responsibility for this and its suggestion that only partial compensation for some of the victims misses the point entirely. Either it is an injustice or it is not. If you are compensating some victims you should be compensating them all."

Lib Dem Prospective MP Jo Crotty added, "Everyone who had invested their hard-earned money with Equitable Life has a story. Some people have lost their entire savings. There are around 1100 Equitable Life policyholders in Warrington's two constituencies and I was pleased to be able to bring Steve Webb here today to let them know that there are MPs still in parliament like Steve who are fighting for them on this issue."