London market claims operation

Colin Hawes, deputy divisional claims director for Independent's London Market operation took the stand this afternoon as the prosecution’s third witness, writes Anthony Gould . He described how increases on reserves for some claims relating to 1997 and prior years were not being processed. He also said that in 1999 and 2000 more and more of the larger new claims coming through were also not being processed onto the claims system but were being left on the white board.

Mr Hawes stated that when he joined Independent's London market operation in December 1997 “there were grave concerns about the level of technical competency and financial provision in the London