THE gas and electricity watchdog has written to Twickenham MP Vincent Cable following reports of mis-selling, saying it is investigating hundreds of similar cases.

Dr Cable launched a crusade against rogue electricity salesmen two weeks ago, who he says are lying to get into homes and tricking residents into signing contracts. He says Southern Electric are targeting the vulnerable in the borough.

Energywatch said that they are looking at hundreds of similar cases from Scottish and Southern Group' and recognises the Twickenham cases as blatant mis-selling' and the matter has been formally referred to the energy regulator OFgem.

In a further development this week, Scottish and Southern Energy has written to Dr Cable, apologising for any upset to residents' and blaming rogue agents' for irregular practices.

Dr Cable said: "This company are not alone in mis-selling since Energywatch tell me they are getting 400 complaints a week about gas and electricity salesmen.

"Vulnerable people must be protected from them and compensation paid to anyone whose power supply is switched against their wishes or without their full knowledge and consent."

but the sales reps of Scottish and Southern seem to be uniquely cynical and devious in their tactics."

"Most residents will have sent these conmen packing but some may have been tricked into admitting the salesmen and then signing a contract. Frankly I do not know whether the company is responsible or the agents which it uses; from a residents point of view it makes little difference. What matters is that they should stop and disciplinary action be taken against the rogue salesmen.

"Vulnerable people must be protected from them and compensation paid to anyone whose power supply is switched against their wishes or without their full knowledge and consent."