BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid has called on former directors of MG Rover to “make good on their pledge” to payout to former workers of the car firm.

Campaigners from the Justice for Rover Workers group met with Nigel Petrie, non-executive director of Phoenix Venture Holdings (PVH), last Thursday, (March 3) to discuss the issue.

John Towers, Peter Beale, John Edwards and Nick Stephenson, the four executives of PVH dubbed the “Phoenix Four”, bought the Longbridge-based firm for £10 in 2000 and paid themselves £40m in pay and pensions.

When the company collapsed in 2005 directors promised to set up a trust fund putting in what would amount to thousands of pounds for each of the workers who lost their jobs.

But after nearly six years campaigners supporting the 6,500 former employees, are still fighting as the money failed to materialise.

At the meeting, PVH confirmed money for the fund - said to be £12.5 million which has been secured by directors- is the subject of a legal battle with HBOS.

It was explained these legal proceedings had halted the transfer of funds.

Mr Javid said the situation had “dragged on far too long”.

“The Phoenix Four stated they would help ex-employees in 2005, and they should make good on this pledge," he said.

“The situation with HBOS is unhelpful, but I want to see them do more to resolve this issue and give something back to those who lost their livelihoods."

Oliver Thomas, co-ordinator of the Justice for Rovers Workers Group who attended the meeting, said: “Most people in Bromsgrove will either have been directly affected or will know someone who is.

“We asked at the meeting, look this has gone on long enough, can you (the Phoenix bosses) not put in some of your own money then deal with HBOS on your own?

“The answer was an outright no.

“As far as we are concerned, the Phoenix Four could end this situation as soon as they want to.”

Attempts to contact PVH proved unsuccessful before the Advertiser/Messenger went to press.