Allan Asher is the chief executive of Energywatch, but not for much longer. In September, the Government is merging the watchdog into the National Consumer Council.

In a parting shot yesterday, Mr Asher lambasted the gas and electricity markets as structurally uncompetitive and moving in the wrong direction.

He told the Treasury Select Committee that they resulted in consumers “getting it in the neck”.

One suspects that Mr Asher would have been just as forthright even if he was not on his way out.

The 56-year-old has been a consumer champion for almost all of his working life and has never been one to keep his opinions to himself.

One of the proudest moments of his career was as a regulator in Australia, when Mr Asher took a case against rogue insurance companies that were exploiting the Aboriginal community in the Outback - the companies were forced to repay the premiums.

Born and bred in Australia, Mr Asher, a barrister, clashed with John Howard's right-wing Government, which came to power in 1997.

“I was expelled from Australia and came over here as a political refugee,” he joked.

As deputy chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Mr Asher did not see eye to eye with Peter Costello, the former Treasurer.

He was told that his term would not be extended - “I told them I wouldn't stay on, anyway” - and in 2000 he left with his wife and daughter for the UK.

After a spell with Consumers International, he joined the consumer magazine Which? as national campaign manager.

It was here that he campaigned against the mis-selling of endowment mortgages, persuading the FSA to investigate. He became chief executive of Energywatch in 2003.

This summer Mr Asher plans to complete a 7,000 km bicycle ride from Winchester through Europe to raise awareness for the Girl Guides.

He has also been asked by the UN to redraft its guidelines for consumer protection, having been in the team to set out the first draft in 1985.

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