craig 5,199 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Rangers owner Craig Whyte has instructed his lawyers to begin legal proceedings against the BBC over allegations made against him in a documentary aired on Thursday night. The programme, BBC Scotland Investigates: Rangers The Inside Story, explored Whyte's business dealings before he bought the Scottish champions. The Scots tycoon took over Sir David Murray's shareholding in the club in May. A spokesman for Whyte said on Thursday night: "Craig Whyte strenuously refutes these unfounded and defamatory allegations and has instructed his lawyers, Carter Ruck, to commence immediate legal proceedings against the BBC. "Any repetition of these false accusations will also be met with legal action." Responding to the statement, a BBC Scotland spokesman said: "We stand by the investigation which was produced according to our rigorous editorial standards on fairness, accuracy and impartiality. "As the programme BBC Scotland Investigates: Rangers The Inside Story makes clear, Craig Whyte took the opportunity to respond to questions which were put to him during the course of the production." Earlier this week, Rangers withdrew co-operation with the BBC, with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club describing the programme as "little more than a prejudiced muckraking exercise". However, the BBC strongly rejected claims of bias against the club and insisted the content of the programme was accurate and in the public interest. Speaking in an interview with STV earlier this evening, before the BBC documentary aired, Whyte defended his business record. He said: "I'm sure the programme that's been made will no doubt make various allegations and it's maybe not going to be flattering about me but I've got nothing to be ashamed of. "Ultimately, my track record speaks for itself. "I'm here, I'm the owner of Rangers, I'm the chairman of Rangers and I've done a lot more successful deals than deals that haven't worked out. I think that ultimately speaks for itself." Meanwhile, Whyte insists he is doing everything in his power to prevent the club from going into administration. Rangers are involved in two separate disputes with HM Revenue and Customs, relating to payments before Whyte's takeover. The larger of those cases could leave Rangers facing an estimated tax bill of £49million. Whyte has always maintained he is confident of winning the case but did address the issue of administration in the interview with STV. He said: "It's certainly not something we want to see happen and we are actively doing all we can to avoid it. "There is no chance of Rangers going out of business, no chance whatsoever." If Rangers do succeed with the dispute, Whyte has vowed to write off the club's £18million debt, which is currently on the books of his holding company. He said: "It's not going to be converted to equity which would dilute the other shareholders of Rangers. "We've got 26,000 shareholders who are very important to us, they are all fans of the club, and I want to make sure they are not diluted in any way. "The debt is effectively going to be written off. "I own a fantastic asset and a business that, once it has been restructured, I think is going to be very valuable so it's certainly not an act of charity. I see it as a sound business decision." Asked about plans to appeal if Rangers lose the tax case, Whyte said: "That's a decision that we can make at the time. "What I will say is that I think it would be impossible for any business to operate with that level of scrutiny, with that tax debt hanging over it and tribunals going on for potentially months and years to come. "I think it's better for everybody, better for Rangers and everybody involved at Rangers, that a conclusion is reached as quickly as possible." Whyte acknowledges that the Ibrox club face a difficult chapter but is adamant he is the right man to steer Rangers through tough times. He said: "There were many times when I could have walked away from it but I decided to persevere. "Somebody had to do this, somebody had to take up the challenge and I think I can do that. "There are days when there are challenges and it's tough but it's a privilege to be in this position, a privilege to own Rangers and be chairman of Rangers. "There is a big job to do here and somebody has to sort it out and I'm the guy to do that." 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ergatrude 0 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I missed the programme due to work, I heard through the grape vine though that it was all stuff taken from forums & blogs? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
forlanssister 3,059 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I missed the programme due to work, I heard through the grape vine though that it was all stuff taken from forums & blogs? It's on the BBC news channel at half past midnight. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,448 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I even have a problem with the title,'' Rangers-the inside story '',what the fuck are they talking about Rangers for?,why are they interviewing the likes of AJ & PM?,guys who don't even know him!!!.All this trash tried to do was carve up CW for his business dealings from years ago when he wasn't involved with Rangers?,what has Rangers tax case got to do with CWs' past business dealings?.This was just a direct assault on CW,fuck all to do with Rangers.A pile of shite 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Christ even the wife noticed how bad it was. Get tore in Mr Whyte the chunts have been asking for it for years. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,448 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 RANGERS FC owner Craig Whyte last night insisted he will sue the BBC over allegations that his business practices broke the law. The Ibrox chairman has instructed top London legal firm Carter Ruck to raise an action over the “biased” and “muck-raking” BBC Scotland Investigates – Rangers: The Inside Story, which was screened last night. The documentary focused on a number of allegations against the 40-year-old venture capitalist, who is reputed to be worth £1billion. FREE NEWS UPDATES 24/7...FOLLOW THE SCOTTISH EXPRESS ON TWITTER The BBC reported that Mr Whyte, who was born in Motherwell, controlled a company while he was disqualified from being a director. Robert Burns, head of investigations at the UK Government’s Insolvency Service, told the BBC that he “could have gone to prison” for “criminality” over his involvement in a plastics firm. Mr Burns said that Mr Whyte had been disqualified for seven years in 2000, but was still closely involved in the running of a company and was a signatory on its bank accounts. ì It is a privilege to own Rangers and be chairman. My business record speaks for itself î Craig Whyte The BBC’s allegations were broadcast shortly after Mr Whyte, who refused to be interviewed, answered questions posed by rival broadcaster STV. He told the Scotland Today news programme that he “is the right man” at the helm of Rangers and will steer the club out of its financial woes, including a £49million debt to HM Revenue and Customs. The businessman, who has homes in London and Monte Carlo and owns a castle in the Highlands, paid a token £1 to purchase 85 per cent of Rangers from former owner, Sir David Murray, and cleared an £18million Lloyds Banking Group overdraft. He has since been involved in disputes with former employees, including ex-Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain, who have won court rulings to freeze £800,000 cash in Rangers’ accounts. Mr Whyte told STV that he will pay the final tax bill if ordered to do so, and that he will not let the current SPL champions founder. Speaking about the BBC allegations, Mr Whyte angrily said he had “nothing to be ashamed off” and accused the programme-makers of being “biased”. His comments came days after Rangers withdrew all co-operation from the BBC and Mr Whyte’s spokesman accused the corporation of “muck-raking” over his past businesses. Mr Whyte said: “There were many times when I could have walked away, but someone has to take up the challenge. “It is a privilege to own Rangers and be chairman. My business record speaks for itself. “I have got nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. I think we have an organisation that is biased against Rangers.” He outlined his determination to avoid the club being forced into administration, which would cause Rangers to have 10 SPL points deducted. Mr Whyte added: “It is not something I want to see happen and we’re doing everything we can to avoid it. There is no chance of Rangers going out of existence. I’m the owner of Rangers. I’m the chairman of Rangers and I have done a lot more successful deals than deals that haven’t worked out. “I think that ultimately speaks for itself.” The BBC documentary also included allegations by former Ibrox chairman Alastair Johnston that Lloyds Bank threatened to cut the club’s credit if the board did not accept Mr Whyte’s offer. Mr Johnston added that he asked Sir David Murray to block the deal but was told it was “too late”. A spokesman for Mr Whyte, who yesterday vowed to invest £20million in transfer funds, said: “Craig Whyte strenuously refutes these unfounded and defamatory allegations and has instructed his lawyers, Carter Ruck, to commence immediate legal proceedings against the BBC. Any repetition of these false accusations will also be met with legal action.” http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/278748/Rangers-owner-Craig-Whyte-vows-to-sue-muck-raking-BBC 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 Mr Burns said that Mr Whyte had been disqualified for seven years in 2000, but was still closely involved in the running of a company and was a signatory on its bank accounts. I really feel the need to point this out again..... Mr Burns should be fired forthwith if he doesnt understand what being a director means vs having signing authorities. I personally am a signatory to a number of bank accounts within my company... and I am neither a director nor am I an officer of the company. Utter drivel. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
forlanssister 3,059 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 It will be interesting to see exactly which points of the programme Whyte issues the libel writ for. I have my doubts about seeing him in the witness stand being cross-examined by one of country's top QC's. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 It will be interesting to see exactly which points of the programme Whyte issues the libel writ for. I have my doubts about seeing him in the witness stand being cross-examined by one of country's top QC's. I do too, because it suits NEITHER side for that to be the case 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 CW will get ripped to shreds....he wont comment on whether he's a billionaire or not, same as Cliff Richards wont comment on his sexuality, and we all know the answer to that.:devil: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.