Post Office scandal: Edward Leigh on 'ministerial responsibility'

       Sir Ed Davey was notably absent from a two-hour Commons debate about the Post Office scandal this evening.

       One MP who spotted his empty green seat described Sir Ed’s failure to attend the crucial and emotive debate as “shameful”, given the rumbling demands for him to resign over his role in the injustice.

       Despite not being present, the Lib Dem leader still came under fire from one veteran Tory MP, who described his attempt to wriggle off the hook as “reprehensible”.

       Sir Edward Leigh, who served in the same ministerial role as Sir Ed from 1990 to 1993, tore the Lib Dem leader’s defence to shreds, saying ministers are ultimately responsible for any scandal in their area of competence.

       The veteran Tory told the Commons: “I’m glad that the minister is asserting the principle of ministerial responsibility, which has been very clear long since the Crichel Down case, where even if the minister isn’t personally responsible he is responsible for what goes wrong”.

       READ MORE: Ed Davey urged to resign over Post Office scandal

       Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

       Ed Davey failed to attend the debate (Image: House of Commons)

       “When I was minister for the Post Office that was made clear to me, and I think it’s reprehensible that at least one of my successors is trying to dodge the bullet in this way and just say ‘Oh I was given the wrong advice’

       “If we own the Post Office, the minister is responsible and that is a principle we have to establish.”

       While Sir Edward did not mention Ed Davey by name, it was a clear attack on the Lib Dem leader, who is now facing calls to resign over his role.

       The Lib Dem leader served as minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs during the Coalition, from 2010 to 2012.

       During his time in the job, he failed to investigate the details of the Horizon scandal, despite letters from victims.

       Don't miss...

       Nigel Farage demands Keir Starmer comes clean over role in Post Office scandal [LATEST]

       Minister hit by brain tumour joins calls for change on assisted dying [EXCLUSIVE]

       Ed Davey told to resign over Post Office scandal after demanding 12 others quit [LATEST]

       Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading

       Start 30-day

       FREE trial

       Sir Edward Leigh blasted the Lib Dem leader for trying to 'dodge the bullet' (Image: Getty)

       Jo Hamilton, who led a landmark appeal in the postmasters campaign, has now said Sir Ed should have “done his job”.

       “Of course Davey should have been asking more questions, he’s the minister, what does he get his ministerial salary for if he’s not asking questions. What did he think, we were just moaning? I can’t believe it.

       “If you’re the minister you deal with stuff — that is the job. You have to earn your money for doing the job like the rest of us. They’re called public servants but they do anything but serve the public.

       “He always calls for other people’s resignations, now it’s time for him to look in the mirror.”

       Trending

       Sir Ed Davey has called for the resignations of 31 public figures since becoming Lib Dem leader in April 2019.

       A spokesman for Sir Ed now says he “wishes he could have done more to help”.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       How Post Office scandal hasn't stopped Fujitsu earning billions from taxpayers

       6 Comments

       Eamonn Holmes rages 'I find it sad' as he blames AI over Post Office scandal

       27 Comments

       Ministers scramble to speed up overturning Post Office Horizon convictions

       16 Comments

       Truth is, we've ALL failed victims of Post Office scandal, says Stephen Pollard

       26 Comments

       Rishi Sunak confirms Post Office prosecutions under review after scandal

       516 Comments

       Former postmaster received 'unbelievable support' since ITV Post Office drama

       13 Comments

       POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here

       300 Comments

       Push to clear names of all the hundreds caught up in Post Office ‘miscarriage of justice'

       22 Comments

       Hated EU plot to create its own army again demanded by terrified Italian deputy

       596 Comments

       EU to scramble to fill top job as Hungary's Orban is months away from taking over key post

       478 Comments

       Ed Davey's credibility 'hanging by thread' with MPs furious at role in Post Office scandal

       914 Comments

       Labour MP issues damning verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's readiness to be PM

       234 Comments

       Post Office petition to strip ex-chief executive Paula Vennells of CBE smashes 1 million

       Comments

       Guy Verhofstadt gloats UK will rejoin bloc in his lifetime and outlines ‘EU empire' vision

       182 Comments

       Ed Davey told to follow own advice over Post Office scandal after demanding 31 others quit

       437 Comments

       Ed Davey and the Post Office scandal prove Nigel Farage must finish the Brexit revolution

       2408 Comments

       Post Office scandal: Rishi Sunak 'supports' considering removing CBE from Paula Vennells

       49 Comments

       Post Office scandal: The political players who ignored key warning signs

       174 Comments

       Ed Davey urged to resign over Post Office scandal

       38 Comments

       POLL: Should Ed Davey resign over his handling of the Post Office scandal?

       636 Comments

       How Post Office scandal hasn't stopped Fujitsu earning billions from taxpayers

       6 Comments

       Eamonn Holmes rages 'I find it sad' as he blames AI over Post Office scandal

       27 Comments

       Ministers scramble to speed up overturning Post Office Horizon convictions

       16 Comments

       Truth is, we've ALL failed victims of Post Office scandal, says Stephen Pollard

       26 Comments

       Rishi Sunak confirms Post Office prosecutions under review after scandal

       516 Comments

       Former postmaster received 'unbelievable support' since ITV Post Office drama

       13 Comments

       POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here

       300 Comments

       Push to clear names of all the hundreds caught up in Post Office ‘miscarriage of justice'

       22 Comments

       Hated EU plot to create its own army again demanded by terrified Italian deputy

       596 Comments

       EU to scramble to fill top job as Hungary's Orban is months away from taking over key post

       478 Comments

       Ed Davey's credibility 'hanging by thread' with MPs furious at role in Post Office scandal

       914 Comments

       Labour MP issues damning verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's readiness to be PM

       234 Comments

       Post Office petition to strip ex-chief executive Paula Vennells of CBE smashes 1 million

       Comments

       Guy Verhofstadt gloats UK will rejoin bloc in his lifetime and outlines ‘EU empire' vision

       182 Comments

       Ed Davey told to follow own advice over Post Office scandal after demanding 31 others quit

       437 Comments

       Ed Davey and the Post Office scandal prove Nigel Farage must finish the Brexit revolution

       2408 Comments

       Post Office scandal: Rishi Sunak 'supports' considering removing CBE from Paula Vennells

       49 Comments

       Post Office scandal: The political players who ignored key warning signs

       174 Comments

       Ed Davey urged to resign over Post Office scandal

       38 Comments

       POLL: Should Ed Davey resign over his handling of the Post Office scandal?

       636 Comments

       How Post Office scandal hasn't stopped Fujitsu earning billions from taxpayers

       6 Comments

       Eamonn Holmes rages 'I find it sad' as he blames AI over Post Office scandal

       27 Comments

       Ministers scramble to speed up overturning Post Office Horizon convictions

       16 Comments

       Truth is, we've ALL failed victims of Post Office scandal, says Stephen Pollard

       26 Comments

       Rishi Sunak confirms Post Office prosecutions under review after scandal

       516 Comments

       Former postmaster received 'unbelievable support' since ITV Post Office drama

       13 Comments

       POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here

       300 Comments

       They added that the Lib Dem leader has been lied to “on an industrial scale” by the Post Office and other ministers.

       Despite the anger being directed towards him, MPs’ eyebrows were raised this afternoon after Sir Ed failed to attend the Commons for an Urgent Question about the latest developments in the scandal.

       Current Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake took MP’s questions for two hours on the scandal, covering everything from compensation and justice for victims, retribution for the Post Office’s leadership and the role of ITV’s docudrama in bringing the topic to renewed public prominence.

       Related articles Rishi Sunak mocked as 'not a real conservative' after disastrous Tory rating Ed Davey's credibility 'hanging by thread' with MPs fury at role in Post Office Ed Davey and Post Office scandal show Nigel Farage must finish Brexit revolution MP who quit in oil row shamed over green industry handouts: 'Follow the money' 'World class' Brexit Britain beating the EU as a manufacturing global hub