Carillion workers who lost jobs ‘deserve answers’ says union, as execs avoid trial

A union is demanding answers as to why the Government had invested large amounts of public money into a trial of five Carillion non-executive directors which ended up being dropped last week.

In response to the trial being called off, GMB Union has said those who lost their jobs with the Carillion collapse “deserve answers.”

The Insolvency Service was seeking disqualification orders that would have prevented five former board members from acting as directors.

The five members were Philip Green, chairman Andrew Dougal, Alison Horner, Ceri Powell and Keith Cochrain.

The GMB Union said: “The trial of five non-executive directors was halted hours before it was due to start despite the Insolvency service having spent large sums of taxpayers’ money pursuing to this point.”

Andy Pendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “The Carillion affair was a stain on the reputation of British business and the decision not to proceed with this trial creates the impression that it is being brushed under the carpet.

“Workers, suppliers and the tax payer lost hundreds of millions in the collapse and yet those responsible seem to have escaped with minor sanctions and fines.

“Serious questions have to be asked as to why those who may have been responsible have been let off the hook at the eleventh hour.
“The best that can be said is that it represents good money being thrown after bad, the worst frankly doesn’t bear thinking about.
“Those who lost their livelihoods deserve answers.”