THE manager of the Knoydart Estate, who claims to be owed more than #30,000 in back wages, has been sacked by the new owners of the estate - two of whom are currently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Mr Ian Robertson is alleged to have acted in a manner ''so as to prejudice the business of Knoydart Peninsula Ltd and its owners'' by writing a letter to the governor of the Bank of Scotland.
This is viewed as gross misconduct by KPL's managing director John Turvill, who sacked Mr Robertson by post. Mr Turvill refused to talk to The Herald yesterday.
Mr Robertson wrote to the bank following a meeting of the community at which residents expressed concern that the Bank of Scotland, KPL's main creditor, had failed to block the sale of the estate, despite Knoydart Peninsula Ltd having alleged liabilities of #1.4m.
The community does not believe the bank should have sanctioned the sale to people it claims have neither the capital nor commitment to secure Knoydart's future.
Now many in the community are considering withdrawing their accounts and the account of the public appeal launched by the community-led Knoydart Foundation to try to buy the estate from the Bank of Scotland. Last year the foundation's offer of #800,000 for the 17,000-acre estate was refused by the then owners, jute company Titaghur.
Titaghur recently sold its subsidiary Knoydart Peninsula Ltd to a consortium which includes Charles Harrison and Stephen Hinchliffe, respectively the finance director and chairman of the Facia retailing empire, which collapsed in 1996 with debts in excess of #100m. Their stewardship of that company and one other, Boxgrey, is now being investigated by the authorities.
Following the first expressions of community concern, the bank issued a statement saying that it was aware of the local sensitivities but could not comment because of customer confidentiality.
Mr Robertson, who is to appeal against his dismissal, could not be contacted yesterday but it is understood he has been told to vacate his estate bothy by June 1.
The chairman of the Knoydart Foundation, councillor Charlie King, confirmed and condemned the dismissal.
''This is an ill-considered and shoddy act by the new owners, who have lost what little credibility they had in the community. Ian Robertson has kept the estate operating almost single-handedly over the past two years,'' he said.
''Given that he has not been paid a penny by the estate since April 1996, he has shown a commitment to the community beyond the call of duty.
''The actions of the new owners clearly demonstrate that they have no understanding whatsoever of this community, and highlight the need for the community to have a say in the running of the estate.
''Ian Robertson was entirely right to bring the Bank of Scotland's attention to the turn of events. He was acting in the best interests of estate staff and the community at large. The bank must act soon. KPL has a reputed debt of #1.4m to the bank. They also have other major debts outstanding. The bank should cut its losses by forcing the sale of the estate and accepting the bid of the Foundation.''
Knoydart Community Association chairman Bernie Evemy said: ''There is total support in the community for Ian Robertson. While we are all shocked by his dismissal, this scandalous decision has united the community and we are more determined than ever to ensure that action is taken to ensure a brighter future for our community.''
When The Herald yesterday tried to get a comment on Mr Robertson's dismissal from Mr Turvill, who was staying at Inverie House in Knoydart, Mr Turvill's wife said: ''Mr Turvill will not be willing to talk to you on that subject. Comments will be made on the matter when we are ready to make them.''
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