George Galloway call for Rangers to pay oldco debt

Published on 30/01/2013 15:02

CONTROVERSIAL politician George Galloway has called on newco Rangers to shoulder the tax burden of the bankrupt former Glasgow club.

Galloway, a Celtic fan, is lobbying fellow Westminster MPs to support a motion to seize some of the £22 million raised by the newco in share revenue at the end of last year.

He argues that the new Ibrox owners must now pay the debts of its liquidated predecessor.

“Note the owners claim it is the same club as the liquidated club; £14million in VAT and PAYE was withheld by the previous Rangers,” he said.

“The club is cash-rich through a share issue which raised in excess of £20million.”

The Respect MP tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons to debate the issue, a move that has so far attracted support from just three members, including the Labour MP for Dundee West, Jim McGovern.

The Courier newspaper has reported sympathy for Dundee-born Galloway’s position, quoting one fan’s reaction on the Dundee United Mad website: “Never let them forget, sock it to them George.”

The motion has also come under attack from the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party who have argued that the club’s chief executive Charles Green should be praised for his handling of its collapse.

Newco Rangers FC was floated on the stock market last month.