Electricity Company Promises End To Misselling

11.28.35am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 14th Jan 2005

Vincent Cable MP for Twickenham

After further complaints to MP for Twickenham, Vincent Cable about doorstep techniques employed by salesmen of Southern Electricity in Hampton Hill and Teddington the chief executive has reassured Vincent Cable that the errant salesmen have left the company and that, in future, stricter standards will be applied. Vincent Cable reported to the company and the company watch dog, Energy watch, that despite a promise to end mis-selling salesmen in the Twickenham area were still trying to misrepresent who they were and tricking their way into residents homes.

Vincent Cable said: "This company won a good deal of new business by pretty dodgy methods, with salesmen claiming that they were from the regulator or from the consumer protection watchdogs or inveigling their way into the homes of elderly people. They responded to criticism by introducing proper training and disciplinary procedures; but it is clear that these have not always been followed. I hope that they will, finally, do what needs to be done to restore their reputation and consumer confidence".