Garage boss fears bankruptcy over 'explosion' claims

Douglas Robertson says the Continental row may leave him bust

Douglas Robertson, who runs Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts, said he risked closure due to mounting costs associated with the case and insists he said nothing of the kind in the first place.

Continental, one of the world's biggest tyre firms, claims Mr Douglas made defamatory remarks about its Barum brand.

The German giant alleges that the mechanic told a customer in September 2009 that Barum tyres would blow up during use and it took out an interdict at Livingston Sheriff Court to prevent him repeating the comments.

The interdict was overturned by a sheriff last year, but Continental is now appealing the decision, with the case due to call again later this month.

Mr Robertson said: "It's all total nonsense and it's costing us a lot of money to defend ourselves. Our name's more important than anything, but this is putting severe financial stress on us.

"Financially, we have spent every penny we can afford on legal fees and if it goes on to another appeal we will have money difficulties."

After the original case, Continental was ordered to pay Mr Robertson's costs when the ruling went against it.

The firm said the trader's comments had damaged its business and reputation, and is now seeking to vary the terms of the original interdict.

Mr Robertson, who has operated his business as a tyre fitter since 1987, said his family firm faced going bust if it had to keep paying legal fees.

He added: "I cannot understand why they are doing this. We laughed it off at first.

"We originally got a call from Continental saying that they had a legal letter for us to sign and, if we didn't sign it, they would be taking us to court.

"They said I was going around telling people the Barum tyre would explode and was not roadworthy.

"I told them I didn't know what they were talking about and had never said anything like that, so wouldn't be signing anything."

Mr Robertson said the firm had claimed to have letters of complaint from customers saying that the tyres were unsafe, but had only produced one e-mail when the case came to court.

But he said there had been an incident in 2004 when a Barum tyre exploded in his face, causing him to be treated in hospital for burns and abrasions to the eye.

He said: "A woman came in to us with a tyre that had been fitted somewhere else. The tyre had lost most of its pressure. I clamped it on the tyre machine and started to inflate it.

"I noticed movement between the bead of the tyre and the wheel and it exploded in my face. I was taken to St John's Hospital where I was treated for burns and abrasions to the eye.

"But that had nothing to do with the make of the tyre and I certainly didn't tell customers Barum tyres were unsafe."

A spokeswoman for Continental said: "A legal debate has taken place in the action for interdict against Linlithgow Tyres and Exhausts, but the full merits and substance of this case have yet to be tried and the outcome of the debate is under technical appeal.

"As the case is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further."