Beckett to face Maxwell grilling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MARGARET BECKETT, the President of the Board of Trade, is to be questioned over a long overdue government inspectors' report on the late Robert Maxwell's dealings which could prove embarrassing to two ministers who had business links with the tycoon.
The Department of Trade and Industry report on the affairs of Mirror Group Newspapers and its flotation in 1991 - six months before the tycoon's death - has taken more than six years to deliver.
The Paymaster General, Geoffrey Robinson, was the non-executive chairman of Hollis Industries plc, part of the Maxwell empire, according to Companies House. Also on the board as a non-executive director was the financial controller of the private Maxwell companies, Michael Stoney. The financial secretary to the treasury, Helen Liddell, was named in the prospectus for the flotation as director of public and corporate affairs at the Scottish Daily Record.
Christopher Chope, the Tories' front-bench spokesman on trade and industry, has tabled a question to Mrs Beckett asking when the report will be published. It was launched in 1992, but was suspended during the trial of Kevin and Ian Maxwell, which ended in their acquittal in 1996.
Mr Chope said he hoped the report would be published soon: "I would hope the Government could demonstrate that it is making every effort to produce this report quickly, so that it would not be open to the accusation that it was holding it back," he said. The Department of Trade and Industry has not yet received the report.
Mr Robinson is looking increasingly beleaguered amid rumours that he will be moved, possibly to transport, in the expected reshuffle next month.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said yesterday that the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee expected to receive a report next week from Sir Gordon Downey on Mr Robinson's business affairs.
Sir Gordon, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, has been investigating claims that the Paymaster General failed to register an interest in several Maxwell companies including Hollis Industries, an engineering firm.
Michael Stoney, 50, was arrested with Kevin Maxwell and charged with conspiracy to defraud Mirror Group by obtaining a pounds 50m credit facility from Bankers Trust Company, the proceeds of which were allegedly channelled away from MGN. He was also charged with falsifying MGN's accounts by omitting the receipt of the pounds 50m from Bankers Trust, and of omitting the same amount from the group's financial report.
Mr Stoney was to have stood trial with Kevin Maxwell on the conspiracy charges, but they were dropped when the Crown offered no evidence. After the brothers' initial acquittal, a judge ruled that a second trial involving Kevin would be unfair.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments