Investigation shuts down ‘emergency services’ book publisher

A Chester book publisher has been shut down by the High Court for falsely claiming to be connected with the emergency services.

MP (NW) Limited (MPNW) was incorporated in September 2015.

Its business was listed as ‘other publishing activities’, with a registered office in Chester.

The Insolvency Service launched an investigation following complaints about the company’s activities.

On August 28, 2018, the High Court sitting in Manchester heard the petition presented on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The investigation established, and in winding up the company on that day, the Court accepted that MPNW cold-called other small businesses to sell them advertising space in three very similar quarterly magazines – Insight, Inside Story and Reaction – claiming to offer an alternative look at the way the emergency services operate.

MPNW also claimed that around 2,000 copies would be printed and distributed for each issue.

However, investigators found that commission-based sales staff misled advertisers into believing that MPNW was a not-for-profit organisation or was directly affiliated with one or other branch of the emergency services, and the numbers of magazines distributed was far lower than indicated.

Additionally, the company failed to keep adequate accounting records with the result that it was not possible to ascertain how many magazines had actually been printed and distributed.

Nor has it been possible to know whether all receipts from advertisers were accounted for and what remuneration/commission was paid to directors/staff.

Scott Crighton, a chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “MPNW attracted customers by exploiting their generous and benevolent nature and by misleading them into believing that income generated from advertisements would benefit the emergency services whereas, in reality, just 0.3% of revenue was paid out by way of charitable donation.

“The actions of the court in winding up this company has prevented further loss to the businesses community and demonstrates that the Insolvency Service can, and will, use its powers to take action against those who would seek to profit from the charity and goodwill of others.”

He added: “Any business owner who is solicited in this way should exercise discretion before agreeing to purchase advertising space.”

On the winding-up of the company, the Official Receiver was appointed liquidator.