A former leader of the Liberal Democrats has introduced a Private Members Bill into Parliament, in a bid to protect tenant farmers from being allegedly unfairly treated by their landlords.

Tim Farron MP, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, says his Bill will create a Tenant Farming Commissioner.

Its powers could include in respect of payments under an Environmental Land Management scheme in cases where a tenant farmer has been evicted and for connected purposes.

Some 60 tenant farmers  have attended a meeting with the Tenant Farmers Association in the Lake District, when Farron is an MP, with some alleging that they had already been served with notices to quit.

The National Farmers Union and the Tenant Farmers Association have supported the creation of a Tenant Farming Commissioner.

Farron is quoted in local media in the area as saying: “Around half of our farmers in Cumbria are tenants, and their landlords range from the excellent to the far from excellent. This a moment where, with the Government changing from an old farm payment scheme to a new one, tenants are really vulnerable.

“Many landlords have done a good job, consulting their tenants and making sure they are fully included and that their rights are protected. But some have been less good. Some have not consulted their tenants, and some have evicted their tenants. Some have changed the way their business operates so that farmers can’t farm anymore.

“That’s deeply concerning and that’s why I’ve presented a bill to Parliament today to bring in a Tenant Farming Commissioner – someone who can protect tenants against those landlords who would abuse their position.”