Max Ayriss, former TransTec chief accountant, came forward last weekend to make a written statement to a Sunday newspaper, because he said that he was not ‘happy’ about what he was asked to do with the grant applications by Robinson.
Although the two parted amicably he copied the relevant papers ‘in case someone came knocking on the door and asked me to explain myself.’
The allegations against Robinson derive from dealings conducted between 1986-1988, when Ayriss claimed his boss urged him to apply for the maximum amount of grant money by reclassifying expenditure to boost research and development figures.
At that time, TransTec’s research and development operations were eligible for grants and a certain amount could be reimbursed every quarter.
He said he had done nothing for ten years about the matter because ‘I may be facing criminal charges because I completed the form although Geoffrey signed them.’
The DTI has already promised to investigate the claims, and is already gearing up to launch a full-scale probe into the former paymaster general’s affairs.The renewed focus on scandals at the company, which is now subject to receivership procedures conducted by Arthur Andersen’s, will add further complications to the Big Five firm’s enquiries, and could scupper plans to sell off the business.
An Andersen’s spokesman said: ‘We have had nothing to do with Ayriss and we do not know that details of his claims. We do not have any view as to whether it will be relevant to selling the TransTec business.’
At the same time, Andersens could face its own inquiry by the English ICA into whether it should have accepted the receivership appointment, given its previous corporate finance relationship with the company.
Former finance chief fuels flames over TransTec
Related reading
Tyrie on Finance Bill 2017: ‘Making Tax Policy Better’
Andrew Tyrie airs views on the Finance Bill, 'Making Tax Policy Better' report, and Brexit
Managing partner Q&A – the year ahead: Richard Toone, CVR Global
In our latest managing partner Q&A looking towards 2017, CVR Global's Richard Toone talks about recruitment, and the potential threat of competition from the legal sector, as key issues for the firm in the coming year
Deloitte ‘self-imposes exile’ on government contracts to defuse PM row
Deloitte to avoid tendering for government contracts over the next six months, to appease Theresa May following consultant's report that painted a less-than-flattering picture of Brexit plans
Managing partner Q&A – the year ahead: Julie Adams, Menzies
In our first Q&A looking towards 2017, Menzies senior partner Julie Adams flags up increasing digitisation, aligned with more hands-on consultative services, as the key mix for her practice
