An appearance before a parliamentary select committee is always a daunting prospect. But when you are summoned to explain why sub-postmasters wrongly convicted in the Horizon scandal are still waiting months and even years for compensation claims to be resolved, it is potentially terrifying.

Mark Chesher of Addleshaw Goddard and Rob Francis from Dentons were on the panel of witnesses opening this week’s marathon five-hour evidence session before the business select committee. Chesher leads the team advising the government on the group litigation order scheme, while Francis and his colleagues have been appointed ‘claims facilitators’.

At one point it seemed the two lawyers might get away without saying anything, as they sat in silence while MPs questioned Carl Creswell from the Department for Business and Trade.

After such a barrage, Creswell was understandably keen to shift attention to his legal wingmen. Asked when victims’ claims might all be submitted, the civil servant posited early July, but pointedly suggested: ‘I do not know whether you would like to add anything to that, Mark?’

Chesher agreed, but obviously hadn’t left much of an impression, as MP Antony Higginbotham followed up: ‘Mr Creswell, can I stick with you?’

A few minutes later and – asked why some cases were more complex than others – Creswell was almost pleading: ‘It might be helpful if I bring in Mark.’

It didn’t start well. Chesher drew comparisons with the compensation scheme for PIP breast implants and was swiftly cut down by MP Ian Lavery: ‘I am not sure if that is a really good analogy, comparing the Post Office compensation claims to breast implants. I am not sure if that is what we should be doing here today.’

Meanwhile, Francis was left twiddling his thumbs for a full 43 minutes before Creswell had to ask: ‘Is it OK if I bring in Mr Francis?’

Francis finally got the chance to speak and told the committee it could take six months for an independent panel to assess compensation offers. Chair Liam Byrne interrupted to clarify whether he had indeed just said six months, and Francis started talking about a 40-day period for looking at offers, before apologising twice for confusing the committee.

The only actual question aimed specifically at Francis was on the number of claimants in the first phase of the process. He couldn’t answer immediately. He wasn’t asked for anything else.

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