Allsopp attacked for Hips role

Hip Payment Services has attacked Kirstie Allsopp for her role in the Conservatives' review of the homebuying process.

The firm has said that Kirstie has been "masquerading as a people's champion and 'voice of the consumer'", adding that her claims to impartiality do not hold up.

The group has called for a public debate on Home information packs (Hips) in an effort to clear the air without resorting to using the packs as "a political football".

"Once again, I watched in amazement as the Tories were permitted to launch into another unchallenged anti-HIP tirade live on BBC television. Hip have become a political football, and a platform for the Conservative party to attack the current Labour regime," said Jeff Smith, chief executive of Hip Payment Services.

"Throughout her entire involvement in the Hips debate, Kirstie Allsopp has failed to disclose the fact that she is a Tory politician, and therefore has merely been an opposition spokesperson from day one," Mr Smith added.

The government has also been criticised by organisations including the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) for its implementation of the scheme.

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