As I said from day one – This had nothing to do with my Kitchens
After years of explaining to people that this case against me by the Trading Standards was nothing more than a which hunt, finally the truth comes out. These people dragged my name through the mud; at the expense of the taxpayer and my business. Yet it has now become crystal clear that it is these very people who abused their positions of power to influence public opinion and the media, to portray me as one of the worst traders in the UK, even though the facts state that my business has quite possibly one of the best records in the Kitchen industry.
Through the results of his misguided actions, Tony Allen the Head of trading Standards has been suspended, as he admitted that it was his 'desire' to close my company down, contradicting his earlier evidence. And who is now going to pay for Tony Allen's 'desire'? that’s right, me and you, the taxpayers!
Tony Allen came to Oldham and needed to slay a dragon. He manufactured a dragon and that was me. It’s been ridiculous that they should have to pay for the actions of one man – one man who was quite plainly wrong.
The Manchester Evening News reports:
A TRADING standards boss who launched a botched legal case that left a council facing a £4m bill has been suspended.
The M.E.N. can reveal that Oldham Trading Standards head Tony Allen was suspended after fraud proceedings he led for the council against kitchens trader Vance Miller were thrown out of court.
Mr Miller, who had faced three counts of conspiracy to defraud, was accused of cheating customers by selling supposed high-quality kitchens made of chipboard and MDF.
But Judge Jonathan Foster QC threw out the case, which began in September last year, at Manchester Crown Court. He slammed trading standards for conducting ‘an investigation that was misconceived from the start’.
He found no evidence that Mr Miller had defrauded customers of his Oldham firm, Kitchens, and said he could not rely on Mr Allen’s evidence.
The trading standards boss admitted in court it was his ‘desire’ to close the company down, contradicting his earlier evidence, Judge Foster said.
“The investigation was flawed from the start. Mr Allen’s initial desire to close the business down coloured his thinking thereafter. It led him to lose his objectivity,” he told the jurors before he dismissed them.
Council taxpayers in Oldham are now expected to be faced with a bill of around £4m for the fiasco.
The investigation alone, triggered by a 2006 raid on Mr Miller’s Cardwell Street mill complex, cost £2.1m. That figure is expected to rise dramatically once legal fees are added.
With Mr Miller and his three co defendants considering further action to recoup loss of earnings and loss to the business, costs could spiral even further.
Council chiefs refuse to say where that money will come from.
They are also refusing to reveal whether a senior member of staff suspended in the wake of the fiasco is Mr Allen.
But sources have confirmed he was suspended when it became clear the case was lost.
Mr Allen did not respond to attempts to contact him.
Mr Miller branded the case against him ‘a complete waste of money’ and claimed Mr Allen had launched ‘an unjust war’against him.
He said: “Tony Allen came to Oldham and needed to slay a dragon. He manufactured a dragon and that was me. I feel sorry for Oldham taxpayers. It’s been ridiculous that they should have to pay for the actions of one man – one man who was quite plainly wrong.
“He wanted to close down a company that could have provided a lot more jobs for Oldham residents and he has ended up costing them money.”
A spokesman for Burton Copeland solicitors, who advised Mr Miller, said they would sit down and look at their options in the near future.
Oldham council chief executive Charlie Parker said the authority was disappointed by the decision but would not appeal against it.
He said the council had appointed a lawyer to carry out a review and said a senior member of staff had been suspended without prejudice while the probe was carried out.
He added: “Until the review is complete, it would be wholly inappropriate for Oldham council to make any further comment on this matter.”
Jim McMahon, leader of the town’s opposition Labour party, said the people of Oldham would be horrified by the cost of the case.
He added: “They will demand answers and expect those involved to be held to account.”
Mr Miller’s co defendants, Nichola Brodie, 33, Sadiya Hussain, 29, and Alan Ford, 45, were also cleared.
January 14th, 2010 - 20:21
well done vance, nice to see one of those ego maniac ,pit bull, trading standards officers come up against a dog with a bigger bite. as a victim of their vendetta style of operation myself it made me smile, roll on council cutbacks & job losses for these over paid civil servants!
January 19th, 2010 - 02:12
In total agreement, I have been targeted by trading standard who abuse their power. They have also tried to shut me down using the near identical tactics. BBC Watchdog etc. It’s about time this type of behaviour is put to an end. They are meant to help us and advise us. Instead they are just interested in destroying businesses. Well done Vance!
February 11th, 2010 - 11:00
ha watched with a smile last night on rogues you offer him to walk out in front ya nice one reckon that matt was shaking hee hee, saw you cvpl years back on chinese wealth prog nice one, look me up on facebook mate may have some items of interest to you or some ya mates…justin from cambridge
February 11th, 2010 - 16:34
Well done Vance—But what a waste of money, Oldham council/trading standards should hold their heads in shame and everyone involved sacked. To spend £5 MILLION POUNDS to prove a pointless argument is an absolute disgrace, also if they do eventually close you down what about your staff —ON THE DOLE– instead of working for your company. When are they going to realize that, here is a guy who is one of Oldhams largest employers keeping PEOPLE IN WORK WHO IN TURN PAY COUNCIL TAX WHICH PAYS THEIR WAGES.They should be working with you not against to ensure that you come up to the standard that they expect from a company of your size and potential.
I hope the BBC and the rest of the media now leave you alone– although you do make good telly for all the wrong reasons.
you look after yourself and strive to improve all aspects of your business
March 10th, 2010 - 03:47
Hi Vance, i watched the documentary about your business ventures into china and i have been inspired by it! i also would like my kitchen upgraded soon and would order from your company for sure!
you are a living legend! hope these guys will leave you alone now!