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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Text message boss killed in crash | Text message boss killed in crash |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The former boss of a no-win no-fee compensation firm which told its 2,500 staff by text they would not be paid has been killed in a car crash. | The former boss of a no-win no-fee compensation firm which told its 2,500 staff by text they would not be paid has been killed in a car crash. |
| Mark Langford, 43, from Cheshire, fled to the continent after Manchester-based The Accident Group (TAG) collapsed with debts of £100m in May 2003. | Mark Langford, 43, from Cheshire, fled to the continent after Manchester-based The Accident Group (TAG) collapsed with debts of £100m in May 2003. |
| Mr Langford's car was involved in an accident in Marbella, Spain, on Monday night, the Foreign Office said. | |
| He was being sought by HM Revenue and Customs for £4.1m in unpaid tax. | He was being sought by HM Revenue and Customs for £4.1m in unpaid tax. |
| It is thought the businessman was at the wheel when his car went off the motorway near the resort. He died in hospital later. | It is thought the businessman was at the wheel when his car went off the motorway near the resort. He died in hospital later. |
| No other cars were thought to be involved and police have started an investigation into the cause of the incident. | No other cars were thought to be involved and police have started an investigation into the cause of the incident. |
| The story of TAG's collapse | The story of TAG's collapse |
| Mr Langford famously informed TAG staff that they were out of a job in a text message which read: "Urgent. Unfortunately salaries not paid. Please do not contact office. Full details to follow later...." | Mr Langford famously informed TAG staff that they were out of a job in a text message which read: "Urgent. Unfortunately salaries not paid. Please do not contact office. Full details to follow later...." |
| In March, a bankruptcy petition hearing against Mr Langford was adjourned at London's High Court. It was due to resume on 1 May. | In March, a bankruptcy petition hearing against Mr Langford was adjourned at London's High Court. It was due to resume on 1 May. |
| In addition to this action, The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was seeking to disqualify Mr Langford as a director. | In addition to this action, The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was seeking to disqualify Mr Langford as a director. |
| His wife Deborah was also included in the DTI action. Three other former directors are already disqualified. | His wife Deborah was also included in the DTI action. Three other former directors are already disqualified. |
| Trade unions used the "text incident" incident to press for stronger employment laws in the UK. | Trade unions used the "text incident" incident to press for stronger employment laws in the UK. |
| 'Sad situation' | 'Sad situation' |
| Ministers brought in new rights to compel companies to consult staff over major changes affecting their future to prevent similar cases. | Ministers brought in new rights to compel companies to consult staff over major changes affecting their future to prevent similar cases. |
| Trade union worker Alec McFadden, who represented the interests of sacked workers in the TAG liquidation, described Mr Langford's death as "a sad end". | Trade union worker Alec McFadden, who represented the interests of sacked workers in the TAG liquidation, described Mr Langford's death as "a sad end". |
| He said: "As a human being, I am sad that a man has died, but it's right to say that the people I represent had their lives turned upside down by the actions of a company that Mark Langford was in charge of. | He said: "As a human being, I am sad that a man has died, but it's right to say that the people I represent had their lives turned upside down by the actions of a company that Mark Langford was in charge of. |
| "Some of them ended up in poverty, others ended up getting divorced, some have never really managed to get another reasonable job. | "Some of them ended up in poverty, others ended up getting divorced, some have never really managed to get another reasonable job. |
| Fatal accident | |
| "It's a sad situation for everyone, and a sad end to the life of a man who did have a damaging effect on the lives of thousands of people." | "It's a sad situation for everyone, and a sad end to the life of a man who did have a damaging effect on the lives of thousands of people." |
| In 2000, William Thornley, 73, died when he was knocked down by Mr Langford's Ferrari near Manchester United's Old Trafford ground. | |
| Mr Langford was fined £1,000 after being found guilty of careless driving but was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving. | |
| He was earlier banned for 22 months for drink-driving and had only had his licence returned to him six months before the fatal crash. | |
| Mr Langford was cut free from the Ferrari convertible and suffered serious cuts to his face, a broken shoulder, thumb and finger. |