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Print chief gets five-year ban

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A director of Harrogate-based publisher The Printing Connection has been given a five-year ban from holding company directorships after the firm failed, owing nearly 500,000.

Michael Robin Clarke who was director of The Printing Connection, placed into voluntary liquidation in April 2001, has been banned until August 2008.

When the company collapsed it owed creditors an estimated 493,938. Clarke is banned from being a director, either directly or indirectly, or from taking part in the promotion, formation or management of a firm.

The Insolvency Service said Clarke had traded the firm insolvently from April 2000. It had been unable to pay PAYE, National Insurance and VAT debts as well as the 236,721 that it owed to trade creditors.

The Insolvency Service also said that the firm regularly submitted inaccurate VAT returns, including all five quarters from December 1998 to March 2001.

Because Clarke gave an undertaking to the Insolvency Service it meant that he did not have to go to court. However, any breach can be dealt with as if a court ban had been imposed.

Clarke was also a director of West Valley Press, which was wound-up in February this year.

Story by John Davies