South East Lib Dems join the fight for justice for Equitable Life victims

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Apr 2010

Sue Doughty PPC and Sharon Bowles MEP with victims of Equitable Life

Sue Doughty, PPC for Guildford, and Sharon Bowles, Chair of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, met with victims of the Equitable Life scandal in Guildford this week to pledge their support for the campaign to compensate those who have been affected.

The Equitable Members Action Group (EMAG) has been campaigning for compensation since Equitable Life collapsed in 2001 after making promises it could not afford to keep. As a result, many have had their savings wiped out.

According to EMAG, 15 Equitable Life victims die each day in the UK, many in poverty.

Sue Doughty PPC said:

"I have been following this injustice for the last ten years. It is disgraceful that the Government has failed to act by now despite the recommendations in report after report.

"Vince Cable has pledged his support to EMAG to ensure that Equitable victims get justice and fair compensation and very soon. I have pledged to EMAG and to the constituents of Guildford that I will vote for this should I be returned to Parliament."

Sharon Bowles MEP said:

"Having met with Equitable Life victims this week, it is clear the EMAG campaign is very much alive, even though so many have sadly died waiting for justice.

"Whoever forms the next Government, the Liberal Democrats will keep hammering the point home that victims of Equitable Life must be swiftly and fairly compensated. This is a disgrace which has gone on for far too long."

ENDS