Compensationrow for Benn

DEFRA minister Hilary Benn is likely to be ordered to appear before MPs to explain his decision not to pay compensation to those caught up in the fiasco surrounding payments to farmers.

Dr Tony Wright, chairman of the Public Administration Select Committee, has taken the step of writing to Mr Benn to express his anger at the department’s refusal to follow the recommendations of an ombudsman that two farmers be paid sums of 5,500 and 3,500 respectively.

The ombudsman recommended the payouts in recognition of the “stress, anxiety and financial impact” the Government’s mishandling of their Single Farm Payments had caused them.

The letter, seen by the Yorkshire Post, states that Defra’s actions were “almost unprecedented”.

Mr Benn will be summoned to appear before the committee if he fails to make a new announcement on the issue by the end of the month.