Jeff Wright statement in FULL
“The failure by Mr Bamford’s Ryse Hydrogen company to complete the deal to purchase Wrightbus is deeply regrettable, particularly in light of the especially after the exhaustive efforts all of us involved have gone to in providing every possible support.
“It is disingenuous of Mr Bamford or his associates to suggest that there were any barriers created by my family through our land holdings. For the record the entire premises at Galgorm including the factory, fixtures and fittings as well as the land was agreed to be made available to all bidders, either to lease or purchase.
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Hide Ad"While Although each and every one of the bidders agreed terms, Mr Bamford also sought to gain unrelated additional farmlands owned by my family. These farmlands, which have restricted use, were bought through a mortgage and were not at any time a part of the Wrightbus business.
"What ambitions Mr Bamford or his associates may have had for our farmland is not clear, but it would be totally wrong and inaccurate to conflate his farmland interests with his failure to complete on the Wrightbus deal and its associated lands.
“I hope that Deloittes have not been side-tracked by the Bamford engagement and can now put their energies into delivering a deal by working with the remaining bidders to secure the future of Wrightbus and the jobs in Ballymena, and Deloittes will continue to have the family’s full support and co-operation.”
“ Finally I would like to draw attention to the role of our local MP Mr Paisley, which was unhelpful to say the least, In what could be considered a vote campaigning exercise, Mr Paisley continually championed Mr Bamford throughout this process, particularly briefing the media and the unions about the farmland and tying it into the business arrangements. Until we establish his motivation and have this position explained he would be well advised to leave the business of deal making to the professionals at Deloittes”.