News

Port changed website as Mustang collapsed

Published

10 years ago

July 11, 2014

NEW DETAILS have emerged this week showing how Milford Haven Port Authority rewrote its website deleting the key words ‘Trading Subsidiaries’ as controversial boat building firm Mustang Marine, collapsed.

In recent weeks Alec Don, Chief Executive of MHPA has been insisting that Mustang was never a trading subsidiary, and that the port should not have to pay back hundreds of thousands of pounds to local firms who were not paid as the firm went into administration. Alec Don told port stakeholders at the annual consultative meeting last month that the port had a “responsibility but not a legal liability” to Mustangs creditors. He later added: “I bitterly regret that Mustang went down. We lost £2.7m” The extraordinary on-line revelation, is clear evidence that the Authority was advertising Mustang as a subsidiary – a signal to suppliers that giving a credit line to Mustang was rock solid. The news ties in with what creditors of Mustang Marine have been saying – that the port does have a legal responsibility to pay debts owed. Simon Hart MP told The Herald: “The key question for all those local firms owed money is whether Mustang was a “trading subsidiary” of the Port Authority. The fact that the website has been ‘adjusted’ is a cause of great concern. I will be raising this, and other issues, with Stephen Hammond the Minister very soon.” His views were echoed by Stephen Crabb MP, who said when on a visit to Milford Haven Coastguard Station yesterday: “There is no doubt that as Mustang collapsed the Port Authority did everything they did to distance themselves from Mustang’s debts. When I got calls about Mustang it was always from Alec Don – the Port Authority.” On its official website, in late August 2013, the Authority wrote: “The Port of Milford Haven Group includes the following Trading Subsidiaries” and “The Port of Milford Haven merged its ship repair business, Milford Haven Ship Repairers with international boat builders, Mustang Marine, early in 2012. The deal included the substantial investment of new capital to finance growth plans of the enlarged business. With the specific objectives if shortening new-build delivery times, and providing station of the art fabrication facilities in Pembroke Dock.” However, as Mustang was collapsing, the website was quietly updated. The words ‘Trading Subsidiaries’ was replaced with ‘Associate Companies’. The sub-headline was also similarly replaced and an introductory paragraph about Mustang the following final sentence was added: “Mustang Marine is 50% owned by the Port of Milford Haven, with management responsibilities remaining with Mustang’s own team.” Speaking two weeks ago Simon Hart MP told the Herald: “I understand that Alec Don and Andrew Jones were the directors who signed off Mustang Marine’s accounts for 2012, which correctly stated under accounting guidelines that the company was a subsidiary of MHPA. It is for this reason that I find Alec Don’s comments that he cannot account for the different terminology used by the respective auditors of the Port Authority and Mustang Marine confusing.” The Port Authority will now have to explain why these differences also made it onto their official website. The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted Milford Haven Port Authority for a comment. Alec Don said “A reference in the MHPA annual report to Mustang as a subsidiary was actually a mistake, and was not meant in the true legal sense. This is also the same situation for the website.”

Crime

Neighbourhood Watch director questioned over blue lights use claim

Published

1 hour ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A ROUTINE night supporting local communities turned unexpectedly dramatic for Ajay Owen, the Director and Chair of Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch, after he was pulled over by police twice on Tuesday evening last week (Nov 19).

Ajay, who was assisting residents across North Ceredigion and Western Powys during freezing conditions, was first stopped in Aberystwyth. Dyfed-Powys Police had received a report falsely alleging he was using illegal blue lights to stop drivers.

**Stopped twice for allegedly using blue lights: Ajay Owen (Image: Facebook)**

Cooperating fully with officers, Ajay allowed them to inspect his vehicle, where they confirmed no blue lights were installed. He explained that he uses legal magnetic amber lights, which are removed when not in use. Officers described the check as the “easiest” they had ever conducted, with Ajay even assisting in the inspection. Reassured, the officers thanked him for his community work and allowed him to continue.

However, hours later, Ajay was stopped again, this time near Cardigan, by a separate team of traffic officers investigating the same allegation. After explaining the earlier stop, the officers apologised and allowed him to proceed without issue.

Ajay praised the professionalism and empathy of the officers involved in both incidents, despite the false reports that triggered the stops. Following the events, he filed an official report requesting an investigation into the malicious calls.

The police would not comment on the specific stops but said in a general statement: “Stop and search remains a hugely important police power for protecting the public, tackling crime and keeping our streets safe.

“Stop and search must be used in a fair and effective way that supports public confidence and is independently scrutinised.

“We will continue to work with our communities and stakeholders to ensure that stop and search continues to protect the public.”

Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch reminded volunteers no Neighbourhood Watch member, Coordinator, or Deputy is permitted to use blue lights under any circumstances.

“Any breaches of this policy will be reported to the police”, they said.

News

Woman rescued from remote Pembrokeshire beach after serious injury

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A WOMAN has been rescued from Cwm-yr-Eglwys beach in Pembrokeshire after suffering a serious open fracture to her femur.

Emergency services were called to the remote beach yesterday (Nov 25) following reports of the injury, which involved the bone puncturing through the skin.

Wales Air Ambulance, HM Coastguard, an ambulance, and a paramedic car were dispatched to assist the casualty.

Due to the severity of the injury, the air ambulance, carrying a doctor, landed in the caravan field behind the beach. The woman was treated at the scene before being stabilised.

She was subsequently transported to Withybush Hospital by land ambulance for further care.

Business

Roch Castle wins awards at the Historic Hotels of Europe ceremony in Prague

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ROCH CASTLE near St Davids is proud to announce its recent wins at the Historic Hotels of
Europe Awards, held in the heart of Prague.

Adelle and Johanna, representing Roch Castle, accepted two distinguished accolades for the entire team: Historic Eco Hotel of the Year and the Silver Award for Historic Castle Hotel of the Year.

The Historic Eco Hotel of the Year award recognises Roch Castle’s dedication to sustainable
hospitality, a core value shared by staff and visitors.

This award celebrates the castle’s eco-friendly practices and commitment to preserving the environment while offering a luxury
experience steeped in history.

The Silver Award for Historic Castle Hotel of the Year also honours Roch Castle’s unique ability to provide guests with an unforgettable stay in an authentic and beautifully restored 12th-century castle.

The management gave a heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who supported Roch Castle and voted in the awards.

Special recognition is due to our exceptional team, whose hard work and dedication
made these achievements possible.

For more details on Roch Castle or to experience this award-winning destination for yourself,
visit our website at www.rochcastle.com, email [email protected] or call 01437 725 566.