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| Dominic Chappell: Former BHS owner found guilty following pension scandal | Dominic Chappell: Former BHS owner found guilty following pension scandal |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former BHS owner Dominic Chappell has been found guilty of failing to provide information about the state of a pension fund after the high street retailer collapsed in 2016. | Former BHS owner Dominic Chappell has been found guilty of failing to provide information about the state of a pension fund after the high street retailer collapsed in 2016. |
| The self-described entrepreneur had claimed he did "everything and more" to help The Pensions Regulator (TPR) but was convicted of three charges under the Pensions Act 2004 after a four-day trial. | The self-described entrepreneur had claimed he did "everything and more" to help The Pensions Regulator (TPR) but was convicted of three charges under the Pensions Act 2004 after a four-day trial. |
| During the course of the proceedings at Brighton Magistrates' Court the 51-year-old, who confirmed ahead of the verdict that he would appeal any conviction, was described by his defence lawyer as a "scapegoat" in the wake of the chain folding. | During the course of the proceedings at Brighton Magistrates' Court the 51-year-old, who confirmed ahead of the verdict that he would appeal any conviction, was described by his defence lawyer as a "scapegoat" in the wake of the chain folding. |
| But he was found to have had no reasonable excuse for not providing the information requested by TPR, with the prosecution suggesting he had been "making up the defence as he goes along". | But he was found to have had no reasonable excuse for not providing the information requested by TPR, with the prosecution suggesting he had been "making up the defence as he goes along". |
| Chappell had been requested to provide information to TPR under the Pensions Act on two occasions in April and May 2016 and a third time in February 2017. | |
| The third charge related to a request by TPR for information about an alleged leak of information from a confidential "warning notice" sent out in November 2016. | The third charge related to a request by TPR for information about an alleged leak of information from a confidential "warning notice" sent out in November 2016. |
| While there have been successful prosecutions brought in the past, including one woman who was tried in her absence, Chappell is the first person to be convicted after denying such an offence at trial, the TPR said. | While there have been successful prosecutions brought in the past, including one woman who was tried in her absence, Chappell is the first person to be convicted after denying such an offence at trial, the TPR said. |
| Chappell, of Clenston Manor, near Blandford Forum in Dorset, was the director of Retail Acquisitions, the company that acquired BHS for £1 from billionaire Sir Philip Green in 2015. | Chappell, of Clenston Manor, near Blandford Forum in Dorset, was the director of Retail Acquisitions, the company that acquired BHS for £1 from billionaire Sir Philip Green in 2015. |
| He now faces an unlimited fine. | |
| The business went into administration in April 2016, leaving a £571 million pension deficit. Sir Philip later agreed to pay £363 million towards it. | The business went into administration in April 2016, leaving a £571 million pension deficit. Sir Philip later agreed to pay £363 million towards it. |
| Following the collapse of the retailer, which was founded in 1928, both Chappell and Sir Philip faced a widespread public outcry. | |
| There were calls for Sir Philip to loss his knighthood after MPs voted overwhelmingly for the Honours Forfeiture Committee to act in a non-binding vote in the House of Commons in October 2016. | |
| Sir Philip locked horns with Labour MP Frank Field, the Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, in particular after the parliamentary body launched an inquiry into his conduct. | |
| In several open letters to Mr Field, which were seen by The Independent, he threatened to sue the politician alleging he had stolen money from the pension fund and later accused him of turning the parliamentary inquiry into "a kangaroo court". | |
| The Independent has contacted Sir Philip for comment but none was available at the time of publishing. | |
| Additional reporting by PA |