Pay back demand for £25,000 THE case of a man whose Disability Living Allowance has been suddenly withdrawn has been taken up by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

David Aspden, 63, of Moss Street, Great Harwood, has also written to John Major and Tony Blair to plead for justice.

He had been receiving £31.95 a week after being knocked down by a car three years ago.

He highlighted his situation in a letter to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

But the Benefits Agency says he is no longer entitled to the money.

And to add insult to injury, Mr Aspden says it has demanded a £25,000 refund when the insurance compensation finally arrives.

Mr Aspden was crushed in the accident three years ago, and suffers arthritis in one knee, while his other leg swells to twice normal size.

He also has chronic asthma and has developed glaucoma in one eye.

"I lost everything in that accident. My wife Agnes and I ran a pet shop in Great Harwood and we had to give it up because of my injuries.

"Before that, I'd been made redundant nine times in the cotton industry.

"The payments started in July, 1994, and last month I got a letter saying I had been re-assessed and wasn't entitled to the money any more.

"No-one from the Benefits Agency has seen me. Three specialists and my own doctor say my situation has not changed but some faceless civil servant has suddenly decided I am not entitled to the money.

"I could understand it if they'd had a specialist examine me. But someone with no medical training, sitting in an office, has made this decision. It seems there is no justice.

"The specialist told me I had to ensure my leg was not knocked so I can't use public transport.

"I had been hoping to save for an automatic car so I could drive with my good leg but now I have no hope."

Mr Pope said he was extremely concerned and would take up Mr Aspden's case as a matter of urgency.

He added: "I am also concerned on a more general level about constituents who are becoming the victims of what seem to be arbitary decisions and the fairly long delays in dealing with appeals."

Benefits Agency spokesman Warren Oakes said it did not comment on individual cases. Decisions were made on the basis of information supplied by clients.

He added that there was a right to an appeal.

STUNNED: David Aspden has had his disability allowance withdrawn and asked for a

staggering £25,000 pay-back

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