No foot and mouth inquiry a disgrace says MP

A SOUTH Lakes MP has slammed Defra over its decision not to set up an inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, had argued the case with the government in his role as chairman of the all-party group on hill farming.

In a response to a parliamentary question from Mr Farron, junior minister Jonathan Shaw said the department would be conducting an internal inquiry that will report to the Prime Minister before the end of the year – but ruled out a full and open public inquiry.

Slamming the government's response, Mr Farron said: "I think this flat refusal to conduct a public inquiry into the cause of this crisis is a disgrace.