Royal & SunAlliance (R&SA) was accused in court yesterday of trying to "wriggle out of its liability" to pay compensation to victims of asbestos-related diseases.

A High Court judge was told that R&SA, plus a Lloyd' Syndicate were relying on an exclusion clause to avoid having to pay millions of pounds to employees of asbestos manufacturing group Turner & Newall (T&N).

The hearing was in response to a case brought by the administrators of T&N on behalf of the victims. The insurers have denied liability.

The insurers argued that a policy clause in place which excluded cover for pneumoconiosis - known as asbestosis when caused by asbestos - also excluded other asbestos-related lung diseases such cancer.

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