Rangers administrators to sue Craig Whyte’s former lawyers

Rangers administrators Duff & Phelps have instigated legal proceedings against owner Craig Whyte’s former lawyers – a claim which is understood to be in the region of £25  million.

Duff & Phelps is claiming the cash from legal firm Collyer Bristow – the company appointed by Whyte to conduct his takeover of Rangers last May – over its role in the Ibrox club’s administration. Additional claims relate to Collyer Bristow’s involvement in Whyte’s takeover and that deal’s structure.

However, the firm has branded Duff & Phelps’ claims “highly speculative” and has pledged to “vigorously defend” against them. Administrators Paul Clark and David Whitehouse allege that Collyer Bristow breached its rights and obligations when effecting the takeover when Whyte purchased the club from Sir David Murray for £1.

Duff & Phelps, which has been running the SPL club since mid-February, has accused the firm of professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.

Clark said: “We can confirm that we have instigated legal proceedings against Collyer Bristow, the former lawyers of the Club, and The Rangers FC Group Limited in the High Court in London for substantial damages suffered by Rangers Football Club.”

A spokesman for Collyer Bristow said: “As we have previously stated, it is our intention to contest all claims brought by the administrators in the strongest possible terms and this remains our position.” Gary Withey, who was a partner at Collyer Bristow and advised Whyte on the takeover, became Rangers secretary but left Ibrox in early March.