HMRC urged to meet with Portsmouth FC by PM
David Cameron urges HMRC to speak with Portsmouth FC to negotiate a rescue plan
David Cameron urges HMRC to speak with Portsmouth FC to negotiate a rescue plan
HM REVENUE & CUSTOMS has been urged by the Prime Minister to meet with Portsmouth FC to discuss the club’s tax deficit.
The taxman issued the club with a winding up order earlier this year for an unpaid tax bill of about £1.6m.
Prime Minister David Cameron said “we must do everything we can” to save the club, in response to a query raised at question time.
As part of the winding up order all assets at the club have been frozen including bank accounts restricting management’s ability to pay staff and players.
MP for Portsmouth North Penny Mordaunt raised the winding up issue at Prime Minister’s question time, the BBC reports.
Ms Mordaunt said: “If a local supermarket closes down another quickly opens and takes its place.
“If Portsmouth Football Club closes down the Pompey fans will not be content with buying their season tickets from Southampton.
“Will the Prime Minister add his voice to mine in calling for HMRC to meet with the club so it recoups the taxes it is owed, so that our club survives and that the fans have their chance to become its owner?”
David Cameron replied: “I will certainly do that and I think she’s absolutely right to raise this issue.
“Knowing one or two Pompey fans I can certainly understand the idea that they could go and support Southampton is completely incredible and we must do everything we can to keep this friendly rivalry going.”
Earlier this month UHY administrators Andrew Andronikou and Peter Kubik were appointed to Pompey owners Convers Sports Initiative.
This week the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust met with local businesses to discuss whether a consortium could help save the Championship side.