FARMERS' leaders last night welcomed the sacking of four civil servants over allegations of naked romps at a Government agency.

Five others received warnings following an inquiry into antics at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) offices in Newcastle.

A whistleblower's lurid allegations in June caused outrage among farmers already angered by the fiasco of the RPA's handling of the single farm payment (SFP) system.

The money was due in December but at least 3,000 farmers still had not received anything when the allegations were made.

Yesterday, the RPA said it had found no evidence of staff leaping naked from filing cabinets, having sex and taking drugs in the toilets, or holding breakdance competitions.

But it accepted "inappropriate behaviour" had taken place.

The whistleblower's other claims involved staff leaving vomit-filled cups festering in cupboards, smearing excrement on toilet walls, putting used sanitary products behind a drinks cooler, swearing and having fun-fights in reception.

Yesterday, Tony Cooper, RPA chief executive, said: "We have taken this matter very seriously and the action taken as a result of the investigation draws a firm line under this.

"Staff at Newcastle and RPA offices across the country are hard-working and dedicated to performing a very important job for the farming industry."

Management procedures have been tightened, staff reminded of their code of conduct at work, and employment agencies spoken to.

David Hugill, chairman of the North Riding and Durham National Farmers' Union, welcomed the action.

He said: "It is good that they have actually found the culprits and dealt with them. What concerned us as farmers was that a lot of good people work at the RPA and we, and I am sure they, were very disappointed that everyone was getting tarred with the same brush.

"The farmers are very disillusioned with the SFP fiasco and staff at the RPA are very disillusioned with the system. But it is not their fault. They have had this shambles thrown on them by the powers that be."

Angus Collingwood-Cameron, North-East director of the Country Land and Business Association, said: "It is time to draw a line under this sorry affair and concentrate on the matter in hand - paying out the money still owed to farmers across the region."

Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat Environment Secretary, said the report vindicated the anger of those suffering as a result of delayed farm payments while the antics went on.

He added: "It is disgraceful that the former RPA chief, Johnston McNeill is still being paid five months after being sacked and that Margaret Beckett was promoted after her role in this fiasco."