Dave King: Tax man has cleared way for Rangers bid

DAVE KING has stated that the South African tax authority has officially cleared him as ‘fit and proper’ in his bid to take control at Rangers, it’s been reported today.
Dave King says the South african tax authority (SARS) has cleared him in his bid to take control of Rangers. Picture: SNSDave King says the South african tax authority (SARS) has cleared him in his bid to take control of Rangers. Picture: SNS
Dave King says the South african tax authority (SARS) has cleared him in his bid to take control of Rangers. Picture: SNS

The Ibrox board have previously called into question Dave King’s reputation following his long running battle with SARS.

King, who was charged by the authority with 41 accounts of contravening South African tax laws, agreed a settlement of £44 million in 2013.

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Now, he has hit back at the Ibrox board’s accusations, mounting a defence of his status as a fit and proper person, by citing a recent confirmation from the RSA that he was not disqualified from running a company.

King, who was speaking out against the current board’s decision to hold the club’s EGM in London, cited a statement by SARS spokesman, Adrian Lackay, on January 25, in response to an inquiry by a BBC reporter.

Mr Lackey’s statement read: “Mr King was informed that as far as the legislation carried out by SARS is concerned, Mr King is not disqualified from serving as a director of any company and is able to operate on a normal unrestricted basis in the business environment.”

King insists references to the tax battle in the board’s Stock Exchange announcement were out of date and out of order.

He said: “The board again recycled the now discredited story about my litigation in South Africa despite knowing that what was stated was irrevocably superseded by subsequent court orders.

“In this regard, I have attached a confirmatory email from the SA Revenue Services that was recently sent to a BBC reporter who queried my statement on that point. Presumably the board’s spin-doctor has been unable to conjure credible new arguments for the board to continue in place.”

King will find out on March 4th whether his bid to oust the current board will be successful or not, when the club’s EGM is held in London.