David Murray’s tarnished reputation was trashed in court today by Donald Findlay as the Craig Whyte trial continued.
For over a decade Rangers (IL) fans were reassured by the mantra that their beloved chairman would only sell up to someone willing to invest big bucks in the club.
Along with comparing fivers and tenners and moonbeams about hover-pitches, casinos and six star hotels the flow of information was in complete contrast to the reality that the club was dealing with from the turn of the century.
Without the Bank of Scotland’s limitless overdraft Murray’s business empire was crumbling with only tax scams keeping some trophies in the boardroom. The five star glory of Ibrox Stadium was left neglected like an old tax demand.
Working on the inside to help remove Murray from the Ibrox basket case was Stuart McLean from Dundas & Wilson.
After a gentle introduction yesterday Donald Findlay, representing Whyte, tore into McLean as Murray’s motives and love of Rangers (IL) was demolished in public exposing the ego that craved attention and adulation.
Document” difficult of raising finance “while playing in the Scottish football league” says Murray group does not have resources to invest
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Findlay asks why document references the £2.8m “small tax case” but not the big tax case.
McLean says there was no funding requirement— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Adds he was not involved in the big tax case and never had been
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
“My understanding was that could be successfully appealed”
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
McLean “Case was complicated and involved the wider Murray group”
Findlay “One step at a time, I can only deal with one step at a time.”— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Findlay says Murray benefits if they don’t have to pay the potential big tax case bill.
1/2— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
McLean “wasn’t considered a core element of the transaction
2/2— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Findlay “There is a potential liability of many millions of pounds…wanted £5m initially..bits of the stadium are falling apart..”
1/2— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Continues “we tell them about that” also small tax case and player Investment, but not big tax case?
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
“Murray must have known the potential benefit of unloading the big tax case?”
McLean Says was mentioned in accounts— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Findlay Murray had no intention of taking responsibility for the big tax case: “That’s the end of Rangers, we don’t care.”
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
“We just go on our own sweet way?”
McLean says he can’t comment
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Document continues “Management at Murray are incentivised”
Findlay? ask who?
Witness doesn’t know— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
McLean says he understood Murray Group accounts wrote down the value of Rangers “From £70m to zero”
Adds he is not an accountant.— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017
Findlay ends his cross-examination
Court takes it’s morning break #WhyteTrial— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) May 24, 2017