Ed Davey’s woes deepened at the moment as a ballot confirmed his private scores slumping amid the Post Office row.
The Lib Dem chief has been struggling to shake off a backlash over his dealing with of the issues as postal companies minister within the Coalition.
Sir Ed initially refused even to satisfy campaigning postmaster Alan Bates in May 2010, though he did later comply with talks.
A toe-curling interview on Friday noticed the MP refuse to apologise to victims not less than 10 occasions, as an alternative blaming ‘lies’ he was informed concerning the defective Horizon system.
Opinium polling launched this weekend confirmed Sir Ed’s internet score dropping from minus 4 to minus 13. The researchers identified that the Lib Dem chief lastly appeared to be chopping by means of to the general public, however not for a very good cause.
Opinium polling launched this weekend confirmed Sir Ed’s internet score dropping from minus 5 to minus 13
Ed Davey desperately dodged as he was pressed over his dealing with of the outrage whereas minister for postal companies within the coalition
In the earlier survey carried out on November 15-17, 16 per cent accredited of Sir Ed’s efficiency, whereas 20 per cent disapproved.
By the most recent ballot on January 10-12, 13 per cent had a optimistic opinion and 26 per cent a adverse one.
Adam Drummond of Opinium mentioned: ‘The most seen story by far was the Post Office scandal and that is behind the drop in Ed Davey’s approval score.
‘The Lib Dems can be anxious that the primary time their chief has reduce by means of to voters is for his connection to an enormous scandal.’
In a brutal ITV interview on Friday, Sir Ed was repeatedly challenged to ‘draw a line’ underneath days of ducking and diving by merely apologising for his half within the scandal not being addressed earlier.
But when he began his reply by saying ‘after all I remorse’, reporter Paul Brand interrupted to insist: ‘That’s not an apology. Why do not you say ”I’m sorry”?’
Sir Ed pressed on: I’ve mentioned time and time once more, that I deeply remorse…’
However, the interviewer informed him: ‘That’s not an apology Sir Ed.’
Ignoring the entreaty, the MP tried once more along with his argument that he had been ‘lied to’.