Duff and Phelps sidestep BBC accusations

Paul Clark has bodyswered some damming accusations made about the validity of Duff and Phelps to act as administrators for Rangers.

The BBC documentary ‘Rangers- The Men Who Sold the Jerseys’ made a number of accusations about the suitability of Duff and Phelps centred around their relationship with David Grier and the controversial deal with Ticketus that assisted Craig Whyte’s £1 buy out of former chairman David Murray.

Duff and Phelps have attempted to distance themselves from Grier who was part of Whyte’s team that took over Rangers 12 months ago.

The BBC have published emails showing the extent of Withey’s involvement with Whyte and Ticketus. Duff and Phelps have started court action to cancel that deal but the role of Withey is certain to rule against the chances of the deal being overturned.

Despite the serious nature of the BBC claims Duff and Phelps made a statement tonight on the EBT issue!

Clark said: “The use of EBTs at Rangers goes back many years and was a matter of public record in the annual accounts. Our primary focus has been ensuring the survival of Rangers Football Club and attracting a new buyer for the business as well as investigating the financial situation at the Club since the takeover in May 2011.

“We and the Club will continue to give every assistance to the football authorities on issues affecting the Club. It should, however, be noted that the First Tier Tax tribunal has yet to publish its findings in relation to the use of EBTs.”

Later on in another statement Clark added: “For the BBC to suggest that I deliberately misled or lied to Mark Daly is both grossly insulting and unacceptable to me as an officer of the court. During my conversation with Mr Daly on Feb 22, which was off the record, I said I thought that MCR became aware of the full scale of Ticketus funding in July or August.

“I gave an honest answer to the best of my recollection as I had not been closely involved in the Rangers takeover work at the time.

“For the BBC now to accuse Duff and Phelps of conflicts of interest and unprofessional conduct based on a deep misunderstanding of the true picture is downright irresponsible and defamatory and we will not let the matter rest there.”

CLICK HERE for David Murray’s £6.3m EBT

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