assessor

Ernst Russ, the owners of the cargo vessel, said the Solong would be "fully assessed by specialist marine assessors and insurers".

Their mysterious assessor, however, who play-acts stages of childhood without a hint of where the borders lie, seems intent on disrupting their cautious hope.

The assessor, who had never spoken to Brian or his legal team, said he wasn't eligible for a pay-out because there was not enough proof that he had hadn't carried out the offences.

"Many disabled people with complex needs find the process long, traumatic and humiliating, involving assessors who don't understand their disability."

Concerns were repeatedly raised about PIP assessors lacking knowledge of specific conditions and decisions being taken without recourse to medical evidence or contacting those involved in a claimant's care.