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View Poll Results: What is your attitude to a new "Rangers" entering at Div1?

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  • Opposed - and will walk away from Scottish professional football

    533 53.09%
  • Opposed - but will continue to support the game.

    447 44.52%
  • In favour.

    24 2.39%
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  1. #37051
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Apologies for the delay, some idiot arranged a meeting I had to attend

    Proceedings open with the court continuingto hear evidence from Ross Bryan, a former Investment manager at Ticketus

    Bryan says that Ticketus asked for an"awareness letter" confirming David Murray knew of 3rd partyinvolvement

    Court shown email from witness to Whyte andPhill Betts 3 March 2011 "one last deep breath to get over the line..theslam dunk on this issue would be to get Sir David to write a confirmationletter"

    Bryan says they wanted David Murray to knowthere was an "institution" involved in the takeover.

    Witness says the club would not be in debtto Ticketus, but season ticket income would be lower. "When the customerbought the ticket the money wouldn't go to the club"

    Draft letter shown to court says DavidMurray had been offered, and accepted "Life Presidency" of the club.

    Email from Whyte shown to court, saysTicketus request is "pretty much" what he has discussed with Murray.

    Later Whyte email "In conversationswith Sir David I mentioned a 3rd party would be providing a significant chunkof the funding"

    Court shown letter signed by Whyte sayinghe has spoken to Murray about 3rd party funding.

    Reply from Bryan to Whyte, says chairman ishappy with letter, "I'll let you know asap if we're in the clear."

    Bryan confirms the agreement with Whytetook into account the possibility of an insolvency event at Rangers

    Bryan agrees that the Ticketus deal wouldhave a "major financial impact on Rangers" and needed board approval

    Bryan says Ticketus paid season ticket money to Rangers,who lent it to Wavetower, who paid the bank debt

    Bryan confirms paying the bank debt toLloyds was a condition of providing the funds to Whyte.

    Bryan says total deal was £24m £18m to payLloyds, £2m 'free cash to the club" rest VAT


    break
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.


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  3. #37052
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Court resumes with Donald Findlay QC risingto cross-examine Mr Bryan

    Bryan says Octopus managed around £1+billion in funds in 2010. About 120 employees.

    Witness says his job was to sourceInvestment opportunities and then progress them into legal contracts.

    Findlay suggests Octopus had a duty not totake unnecessary risks with their client's money. Bryan agrees

    Bryan confirms the was first approchedabout Rangers by Nigel Farr, "he was hoping to get a brokers fee"Introduced Phill Betts

    Phil Betts was an "asset backedbanker" Bryan says. He arranged first meeting with Craig Whyte at theOctopus office Bryan "I believe there were other gentlemen there" buthe can't recall their names.

    Bryan says Ticketus had 12 footballclients. Names Manchester United as one, refuses to name others.

    Jury and witness leave court while a legalmatter is discussed

    Jury returns, Bryan says Ticketus workedwith 6 English Premier league clubs, some in Europe. No other Scottish clients.

    Findlay suggests: "a great number ofpeople in football would know about Ticketus" Bryan "only 3-4 at eachclub"

    Witness agrees other staff at footballclubs might know about any deal with Ticketus. Says might be 100 or so

    Findlay "apart from Mr Whyte is thereanyone else you know in this courtroom" Bryan says "a solicitor forOctopus is in the audience" (with the big bag of popcorn J )

    Findlay "I noticed you kept lookingover there" (HMMM!! Taking direction?Cough, cough!)

    Lunch

    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  4. #37053
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    Apologies for the delay, some idiot arranged a meeting I had to attend

    Proceedings open with the court continuingto hear evidence from Ross Bryan, a former Investment manager at Ticketus

    Bryan says that Ticketus asked for an"awareness letter" confirming David Murray knew of 3rd partyinvolvement

    Court shown email from witness to Whyte andPhill Betts 3 March 2011 "one last deep breath to get over the line..theslam dunk on this issue would be to get Sir David to write a confirmationletter"

    Bryan says they wanted David Murray to knowthere was an "institution" involved in the takeover.

    Witness says the club would not be in debtto Ticketus, but season ticket income would be lower. "When the customerbought the ticket the money wouldn't go to the club"

    Draft letter shown to court says DavidMurray had been offered, and accepted "Life Presidency" of the club.

    Email from Whyte shown to court, saysTicketus request is "pretty much" what he has discussed with Murray.

    Later Whyte email "In conversationswith Sir David I mentioned a 3rd party would be providing a significant chunkof the funding"

    Court shown letter signed by Whyte sayinghe has spoken to Murray about 3rd party funding.

    Reply from Bryan to Whyte, says chairman ishappy with letter, "I'll let you know asap if we're in the clear."

    Bryan confirms the agreement with Whytetook into account the possibility of an insolvency event at Rangers

    Bryan agrees that the Ticketus deal wouldhave a "major financial impact on Rangers" and needed board approval

    Bryan says Ticketus paid season ticket money to Rangers,who lent it to Wavetower, who paid the bank debt

    Bryan confirms paying the bank debt toLloyds was a condition of providing the funds to Whyte.

    Bryan says total deal was £24m £18m to payLloyds, £2m 'free cash to the club" rest VAT


    break
    Your bit in bold.... DF should have asked WHEN that happened.

  5. #37054
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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    Your bit in bold.... DF should have asked WHEN that happened.
    Yep! thought that was relevant. He might come back to it after lunch, you never know.
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  6. #37055
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Afternoon update



    Proceedings resume with Donald Findlay QCcontinuing his cross-examination of former Ticketus investment manager RossBryan

    Findlay "from that first meeting therewas the possibility of buying the shares" Bryan "All avenues wereopen"

    Bryan says he can't recall if Lloyds debtwas discussed at the first meeting. Believes not mentioned until 2011.

    Ticketus memo from October 2010 shown tocourt, mentions repayment of bank debt.

    Deal at the point was £20m for 45% ofseason tickets in year one, 45% in year two, 35% in year 3.

    Memo notes if they added the existing dealTicketus would control 61% of the club's season tickets in 2011-2012

    Bryan "Selling season tickets wassensitive..fans might boycott..we were not publicity hungry"

    Witness says Ticketus wanted Murray to knowabout 3rd party involvement for "anti-embarrassment reasons"

    Bryan "We didn't want to embarrass theseller" Findlay "Are you sticking with that?" Bryan"Yes"

    Findlay "If you spend £500 on a seasonticket you might hope the club is getting the benefit, but £50 is going to somefund in London."

    Bryan "Ok, yeah​." Findlay"Requires secrecy?" Bryan "You could argue that" Findlay"I don't argue, I ask questions."

    Findlay "Ticketus wanted theirinvolvement kept secret?" Bryan "To a point" Findlay "Whatpoint?"

    Findlay: Ticketus don't want their dealknown but don't want to embarrass David Murray." Did you keep it secretfrom him? "Ultimately, yes"

    Findlay "You didn't want David Murrayto know because he might pull the plug on the deal, you didn't care aboutembarrassing him"

    Findlay "If you were genuinelyconcerned​ why didn't someone pick up the phone and ask him rather than thisrigmarole?'

    Bryan says contacting Murray would havebeen a breach of financial regulations.

    Findlay "Rangers were a client, whydidn't you speak to them?" Bryan "I didn't speak to them."Findlay "The mythical Chinese wall."

    Findlay asks why Ticketus didn'tinvestigate through their lawyers? Bryan "We eventually did" Findlay"Will I find that on a piece of paper?" Bryan "I don't think youwill"

    Bryan says he did one football deal formore than £20m, rest were only £4-5m Findlay "You were keen to put itthrough" "Yes"
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  7. #37056
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Findlay "Can you embarrass acompany?" Suggests worry was embarrassing David Murray

    Findlay Do you know of any communicationbetween lawyers for Ticketus and lawyers for Murray Group?

    Bryan says he would have expected Murrayteam to notice ref to third party funding in share purchase agreement

    Bryan says it was Ticketus who asked formention of third party funding to be added to share purchase agreement. Adds heexpected Murray lawyers to ask about change but didn't happen

    Ticketus memo shown to court. Says wouldexpect word of their involvement to "filter back to Sir David" weneed to ensure "Sir David's has no motive to release a unhelpful statementto the press." Unhappy fans still buy season tickets"

    Findlay "You didn't care about DavidMurray." Bryan "It would be embarrassing for Murray that new ownerhad solved the problem."

    Findlay "You had no intention ofpulling the plug." Bryan "The risk changed from October to May"

    Findlay asks if lawyers for Ticketus lookedinto legal aspects of the deal Bryan says view was if ownership transferred waslegal

    Ticketus memo "Our funding is not required topurchase the club" hence no issue with "financial assistance"

    Findlay suggests that Ticketus had expertlegal advice the deal was legal. Bryan "That was when he was paying£5m" Findlay "Did you get further advice when the price dropped to apound?" Bryan "We didn't repeat the exercise"

    Findlay asks Bryan if he ever got an emailfrom David Murray confirming he knew about 3rd party funding? "I don'tthink we did"

    Findlay "Was there a phone call fromWhyte saying he had talked to David Murray about 3rd party Bryan "At thistime I don't recall"

    Findlay "Are you seriously sayingTicketus took no steps to Independently check" Bryan "No"

    Bryan "Was in the Share PurchaseAgreement, we expected he read it."

    Findlay Says "It's clear that Murraymust have known there was 3rd party funding" Bryan "Yes"



    Court adjourns

    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  8. #37057
    Coaching Staff Smartie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    Findlay "Can you embarrass acompany?" Suggests worry was embarrassing David Murray

    Findlay Do you know of any communicationbetween lawyers for Ticketus and lawyers for Murray Group?

    Bryan says he would have expected Murrayteam to notice ref to third party funding in share purchase agreement

    Bryan says it was Ticketus who asked formention of third party funding to be added to share purchase agreement. Adds heexpected Murray lawyers to ask about change but didn't happen

    Ticketus memo shown to court. Says wouldexpect word of their involvement to "filter back to Sir David" weneed to ensure "Sir David's has no motive to release a unhelpful statementto the press." Unhappy fans still buy season tickets"

    Findlay "You didn't care about DavidMurray." Bryan "It would be embarrassing for Murray that new ownerhad solved the problem."

    Findlay "You had no intention ofpulling the plug." Bryan "The risk changed from October to May"

    Findlay asks if lawyers for Ticketus lookedinto legal aspects of the deal Bryan says view was if ownership transferred waslegal

    Ticketus memo "Our funding is not required topurchase the club" hence no issue with "financial assistance"

    Findlay suggests that Ticketus had expertlegal advice the deal was legal. Bryan "That was when he was paying£5m" Findlay "Did you get further advice when the price dropped to apound?" Bryan "We didn't repeat the exercise"

    Findlay asks Bryan if he ever got an emailfrom David Murray confirming he knew about 3rd party funding? "I don'tthink we did"

    Findlay "Was there a phone call fromWhyte saying he had talked to David Murray about 3rd party Bryan "At thistime I don't recall"

    Findlay "Are you seriously sayingTicketus took no steps to Independently check" Bryan "No"

    Bryan "Was in the Share PurchaseAgreement, we expected he read it."

    Findlay Says "It's clear that Murraymust have known there was 3rd party funding" Bryan "Yes"



    Court adjourns
    A few references to Sir David in there.

    I'd love to know what any of this mess has to do with our magnificent, wonderful, glorious, cup-winning, goal-scoring, new contact signing, captain fantastic.

  9. #37058
    First Team Regular The Pointer's Avatar
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    This is compulsive, coming home from work to read the next instalment.

    Many thanks GF.

  10. #37059
    May have missed something but is Octopus the asset management business based in London? If so, what are they supposed to have done / provided to Sevco / Craig Whyte?

  11. #37060
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Is It On.... View Post
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    May have missed something but is Octopus the asset management business based in London? If so, what are they supposed to have done / provided to Sevco / Craig Whyte?
    This particular Octopus is the legal name of the company that used the Ticketus brand.

    Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

  12. #37061
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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    This particular Octopus is the legal name of the company that used the Ticketus brand.

    Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk
    There are many arms to Octopus.
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  13. #37062
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    There are many arms to Octopus.
    And they have access to a few squid.

    Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

  14. #37063
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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    And they have access to a few squid.

    Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk
    You win.
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  15. #37064
    @hibs.net private member oldbutdim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    You win.
    Indeed.



    Kraken up at that one.


  16. #37065
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldbutdim View Post
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    Indeed.



    Kraken up at that one.

    As funny as a kick in the tentacles. 😂

    Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

  17. #37066
    Left by mutual consent! majorhibs's Avatar
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    Was so obvious at the time whitey gambled everything on qualification to CL & when team failed it was a busted flush, take it this is all recorded previously.

  18. #37067
    Quote Originally Posted by majorhibs View Post
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    Was so obvious at the time whitey gambled everything on qualification to CL & when team failed it was a busted flush, take it this is all recorded previously.
    Qualification for the CL would have just kept things ticking over. Whyte also needed an early unfavourable BTC verdict while the money was still coming in. If that had happened he could have liquidated Rangers 1872, blaming the Murray regime, and somehow emerged from the insolvency in possession of the assets.

  19. #37068
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ballengeich View Post
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    Qualification for the CL would have just kept things ticking over. Whyte also needed an early unfavourable BTC verdict while the money was still coming in. If that had happened he could have liquidated Rangers 1872, blaming the Murray regime, and somehow emerged from the insolvency in possession of the assets.
    Not sure about this bit.

    He appointed his own pals in the insolvency, and still didn't get away with the assets.

  20. #37069
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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    Not sure about this bit.

    He appointed his own pals in the insolvency, and still didn't get away with the assets.
    Was that underestimating the power of HMRC?
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  21. #37070
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    Was that underestimating the power of HMRC?
    Perhaps, TBF. Although those sums could have (should have) been done long before the event itself.

    I'm more of the view that CW did gamble on the CL money. That he intended to cash-in later on, perhaps through a sale.

  22. #37071
    Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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    Perhaps, TBF. Although those sums could have (should have) been done long before the event itself.

    I'm more of the view that CW did gamble on the CL money. That he intended to cash-in later on, perhaps through a sale.
    We'll never know for sure what Whyte's plan was. He has said that the European failure scuppered his cash-flow projections and that his big mistake was not entering administration the day after the defeat in Maribor. In this instance I would take him at his word.

    Whyte seems to have worked previously as an asset-stripper who transferred companies' assets into off-shore ownership. It's plausible that the occasional doubts about the ownership of Ibrox ("Show us the deeds") is because he'd set off down that route. Maybe he realised he was out of his depth this time,

  23. #37072
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ballengeich View Post
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    We'll never know for sure what Whyte's plan was. He has said that the European failure scuppered his cash-flow projections and that his big mistake was not entering administration the day after the defeat in Maribor. In this instance I would take him at his word.

    Whyte seems to have worked previously as an asset-stripper who transferred companies' assets into off-shore ownership. It's plausible that the occasional doubts about the ownership of Ibrox ("Show us the deeds") is because he'd set off down that route. Maybe he realised he was out of his depth this time,
    ... your last bit. I remember having those same thoughts at the time of the administration about D&P. That they had underestimated the scrutiny that there would be of the whole saga. Whereas, in the past, they had been able to work in relative obscurity, now they had a public profile... and Hibs.net... to contend with.

  24. #37073
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    a wee taster for today

    https://t.co/XW08vRh7Ed

    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  25. #37074
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    a wee taster for today

    https://t.co/XW08vRh7Ed

    Did SDM hire that truck?

  26. #37075
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    This morning in the Big Brother House




    Proceedings resumed with defence counselDonald Findlay QC continuing his cross-examination of Crown witness Ross Bryan



    Bryan told the court yesterday that in 2010he was an investment manager at Ticketus


    Bryan confirms that it was Ticketus whowanted "third party funding" mentioned in the agreement between Whyteand Murray group



    Witness says Ticketus wanted "the clubto perform" so it continued to sell season tickets



    Findlay notes normal process with 3rd partyfunding is to put money in an "escrow" account until deal iscompleted. Bryan agrees



    Findlay "It's not going to be someonehanding over £20m in a suitcase?" Bryan "No"

    Findlay before Whyte did you know AndrewEllis and Chris Akers were interested in buying Rangers? Bryan "Yes"


    Findlay "Did a member of theInvestment committee make inquiries about Akers and Ellis? "He said hewould speak to contacts in Scotland"

    Findlay "Do you remember telephonecall from William Murdoch about people buying Rangers?"

    Findlay "It would seem a littledifficult to square a high degree of confidentiality with a conversation on agolf course"


    Bryan​ asked if he knows a Paul Hassal?"Yes" Do you remember email exchange? Yes"

    Bryan says Hassal "Made an inquiryabout doing a deal with Ticketus?" Did he know about the Craig Whyte dealwith Rangers? Bryan "Yes"

    Findlay Two people outside the deal knewabout it? Bryan "Unfortunately, yes"


    Bryan "I got cold called once bysomeone who knew about the deal with Rangers and asked if interested in anotherScottish club"

    Findlay uses a hypothetical company"Micky Mouse ltd" to suggest Wavetower guarantee was"worthless" as it had no assets

    Findlay to witness "Do try and helpme, I know it's all very tedious"


    Findlay "orginally Murray wanted £5mfor shares, eventually given away for nothing" Bryan "This coincidedwith discussion of the tax case

    Findlay asks about tax cases "when didTicketus get wind of them?" Bryan: Didn't come up in due diligence, foundout in April/May

    Bryan "Normally you would expect thesethings to be disclosed, should have been​ in initial data room."


    Court shown email, 5 April 2011, fromwitness to Phil Betts, David Grier and others titled "Tax case hurdleinfo"


    Bryan confirms Grier was assisting Whytewith the tax cases . His company later became Duff and Phelps, administratorsof Rangers

    Findlay 'If Grier said later he didn't knowabout Ticketus that would be an absolute lie?" Bryan "Would be hardto believe"




    Fin
    Last edited by Moulin Yarns; 18-05-2017 at 12:23 PM.
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  27. #37076
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    More.


    MORE…

    Bryan email suggests scenarios for big taxcase 4 is "Murray loses and HMRC want it all-The Armageddon scenario"

    Email continues "Technically Rangerscould phoenix the club" Bryan says this putting into administration toclear out problems

    Bryan says he would have expected the £2.8msmall tax case bill to have been disclosed earlier

    Next email from Bryan to Craig Whyte andPhill Betts over tax cases shown to court "nervous about quality ofinformation club is supplying​"

    Findlay "The problem with the big taxcase was there wasn't a number" [on the potential liability] Bryan"Correct"
    Email continues "The press coverage ofthe "suprise" £2.8m tax case...did nothing to instill confidence inthe club's truthfulness"

    Bryan "There were a couple of times wefound out things through the media. I don't know how they got it." J (All hail Hibs.net)

    Email suggests the maximum potentialliability in "big tax case" was £100m

    Email: Discusses "Craig's privatediscussions with HMRC...£5m a year over a few years would satisfy them."

    Bryan email on the "Armageddon"of HMRC winning the big tax case. Suggests: "Instructing an administratorto protect it's interests." Theclub is pre-packed to rid it of the HMRC debt and Craig/Wavetower take controland honour the Ticketus agreement"

    Findlay "Who thought this up?"Bryan "Came from Mr Whyte's side."

    "How does Scottish administrationdiffer from English?...looks after the charge-holder first and foremost. Craigwill call the shots."

    Continues "My 'middle eastern nutter'scenario could play out ( he buys the club and Craig/Ticketus are left out) "Weneed to be crystal clear that Craig would be in control."

    Email continues "How would the SPLtreat a pre-pack? Asks for clarity on the "Armageddon scenario" oflosing licence to play

    Findlay "It is clear the tax issuesmight have scared the Investment committee completely?"

    Findlay "The jury may conclude Murrayhadn't been entirely candid about information in the data room?" Bryan"Correct"

    Findlay on the deal signing "As soonas the cap was back on the Mont Blanc the money was available" Bryan"It's a normal procedure"

    Findlay ends cross-examination, AdvocateDepute rises to re-examine.

    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  28. #37077
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Continued…


    AD "Ticketus had no access to contentof data room?" Bryan "Correct" AD "No contact withMurray" Bryan "Correct"

    AD "You had to rely on what peopletold you?" Bryan "Yes, we couldn't go directly and askquestions."

    Bryan agrees Ticketus did not want word ofthe proposed deal "leaking out to the wider community." Never calledMurray


    Lunch!!

    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  29. #37078
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    And this afternoon.

    Advocate Depute ends and Bryan steps downfrom the witness box Next witness, Phillip Betts (former RFC director)

    Betts is sworn in, tells the court he is 54and works as a "asset finance broker"

    Betts confirms he knows Craig Whyte, pointsto him in the dock. Says he first met the accused in 2009.

    Witness said he became a director ofMerchant Turnaround in 2010, Whyte was company secretary. Invested in"distressed businesses"

    Betts says he introduced Whyte to DavidGrier in 2009. Says Grier worked for MCR which became Duff and Phelps

    Witness says he became aware of Whyte'sinterest in buying Rangers in mid 2010. Phoned him up and offered to help.

    Betts says he made some "discreetenquiries" about funding a takeover, was told "would be verydifficult."

    Witness says Whyte told him he was"struggling to find the funds, which he found surprising. Later spoke toNigel Farr"

    Betts says he told Farr "Mr Whyte is avery easygoing chap and very wealthy" He arranged meeting with Ticketus.

    Betts says he already knew Rangers wereinvolved with Ticketus. Meeting went well and interest expressed

    Betts says he later became a director of Wavetower,the "vehicle" Whyte used to buy Rangers.

    The witness says as well as TicketusMerchant Turnaround was a possible source of funds. Betts was a director ofMerchant​ Turnaround. Agrees he had a "duty of care" to it'sinvestors

    In March 2011 £1m was transferred fromMerchant Turnaround to Colloyer Bristow witness confirms

    AD "Had there been board approval forthis transfer of funds" Betts "No" but after a pause says"there must have been"

    Betts says he asked Whyte about gettingpermission to transfer the £1m. Was told "he would handle it."

    Betts says he asked Whyte about gettingpermission to transfer the £1m. Was told "he would handle it."

    Witness says that in 2012 a new directordiscovered the £1m had been transferred out of the Colloyer Bristow account.

    Betts says he was unaware of any authoritygiven for the funds to be transferred.

    Betts says he went to Edinburgh for thedeal completion on 5 May 2011. "We sat around all day twiddling ourthumbs"

    On the next day documents were signed AD"Was a pound coin produced at all?" Betts "It was flicked acrossthe table"

    Betts shown 9 May agreement for Rangers tolend Wavetower £16m. Witness says he signed for Rangers as a director

    Betts says he has no memory of the documentbut agrees he signed it. Was also a director of Wavetower

    AD "Did you read it before you signedit?" Betts "Probably"




    Court adjourns until 10.15 tomorrow

    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

  30. #37079
    @hibs.net private member CropleyWasGod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Fleece View Post
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    And this afternoon.

    Advocate Depute ends and Bryan steps downfrom the witness box Next witness, Phillip Betts (former RFC director)

    Betts is sworn in, tells the court he is 54and works as a "asset finance broker"

    Betts confirms he knows Craig Whyte, pointsto him in the dock. Says he first met the accused in 2009.

    Witness said he became a director ofMerchant Turnaround in 2010, Whyte was company secretary. Invested in"distressed businesses"

    Betts says he introduced Whyte to DavidGrier in 2009. Says Grier worked for MCR which became Duff and Phelps

    Witness says he became aware of Whyte'sinterest in buying Rangers in mid 2010. Phoned him up and offered to help.

    Betts says he made some "discreetenquiries" about funding a takeover, was told "would be verydifficult."

    Witness says Whyte told him he was"struggling to find the funds, which he found surprising. Later spoke toNigel Farr"

    Betts says he told Farr "Mr Whyte is avery easygoing chap and very wealthy" He arranged meeting with Ticketus.

    Betts says he already knew Rangers wereinvolved with Ticketus. Meeting went well and interest expressed

    Betts says he later became a director of Wavetower,the "vehicle" Whyte used to buy Rangers.

    The witness says as well as TicketusMerchant Turnaround was a possible source of funds. Betts was a director ofMerchant​ Turnaround. Agrees he had a "duty of care" to it'sinvestors

    In March 2011 £1m was transferred fromMerchant Turnaround to Colloyer Bristow witness confirms

    AD "Had there been board approval forthis transfer of funds" Betts "No" but after a pause says"there must have been"

    Betts says he asked Whyte about gettingpermission to transfer the £1m. Was told "he would handle it."

    Betts says he asked Whyte about gettingpermission to transfer the £1m. Was told "he would handle it."

    Witness says that in 2012 a new directordiscovered the £1m had been transferred out of the Colloyer Bristow account.

    Betts says he was unaware of any authoritygiven for the funds to be transferred.

    Betts says he went to Edinburgh for thedeal completion on 5 May 2011. "We sat around all day twiddling ourthumbs"

    On the next day documents were signed AD"Was a pound coin produced at all?" Betts "It was flicked acrossthe table"

    Betts shown 9 May agreement for Rangers tolend Wavetower £16m. Witness says he signed for Rangers as a director

    Betts says he has no memory of the documentbut agrees he signed it. Was also a director of Wavetower

    AD "Did you read it before you signedit?" Betts "Probably"




    Court adjourns until 10.15 tomorrow
    Haud the bus.

    It's late in the day, so maybe I'm being thick. Is this something new?

  31. #37080
    @hibs.net private member Moulin Yarns's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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    Haud the bus.

    It's late in the day, so maybe I'm being thick. Is this something new?
    I'm not sure of the timescale but it reads as if he was a director of both Wavetower and RFC when the deal was done. Need some digging to be done, methinks


    Edit, not much digging

    The “Season Tickets” were 23,154 for 11/12, 27,017 for 12/13, 27,014 for 13/14 and 23,154 for 14/15. Effectively Rangers were giving up their rights to this income for the seasons mentioned. The form was signed by Phil Betts, director of Rangers and also heavily involved with Close Finance, and Mr Whyte himself.
    https://rangerstaxcase.wordpress.com...ssive-secrecy/
    Last edited by Moulin Yarns; 18-05-2017 at 03:33 PM.
    There is no such thing as too much yarn, just not enough time.

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