Local Euro MP Diana Wallis visits Hessle-based Icelandic seafood company

4.05.00pm GMT Fri 14th Nov 2008

Euro MP Diana Wallis visited a local Icelandic company hit by the UK's government to freeze assets of Icelandic banks using anti-terror legislation aimed at al-Qaeda.

Diana Wallis, Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, visited the offices of Hessle-based Iceland Seafood Ltd UK who have had to rapidly adjust their business to meet the changes that were brought on by the collapse of the Icelandic banks.

Ahead of the meeting Diana Wallis, said:

"The worst Iceland has been guilty of is the same 'light touch' financial regulatory system as the UK. I don't recall either the Irish or the German governments considering invoking terrorist legislation against the UK when our government allowed the near-collapse of Equitable Life where thousands of individual victims lost their savings and pensions and remain, all these years later, without compensation. Whilst one might argue about the scale, the principle is the same.

"Now the results of the Government action may come home to roost in our own region. We have historic links with Iceland and a number of Icelandic businesses on whom we depend for local jobs and investment. These are now put under threat."

Mr. Fridleifur Fridleifsson, Managing Director of Iceland Seafood welcomed the visit of Diana Wallis saying:

"We are delighted that Diana Wallis has found the time to meet us and discuss the situation of Icelandic fish business in the region. This will be a great opportunity to inform her that even though we have gone through a very rough time we are determined to carry out our business as normal, continuing to bring high quality fish products from Iceland to the UK market."

(Pic shows Diana with Mr. Fridleifur Fridleifsson, Managing Director of Iceland Seafood)