‘Dragon’s Den’ star’s ex finance chief on fraud charge

A finance director who worked for Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne’s group of companies has been charged with fraud and money laundering totalling almost £8m, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

Christopher Watson has been charged in relation to allegations of fraudulent activity between July 2008 and July 2014, concerning electronic transfers from the company accounts to his personal accounts and those of his businesses.

“These sums of money were allegedly used to gamble, settle personal debts, and to buy and renovate properties,” a CPS spokesman said.

He will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, County Durham, on June 24.

CPS specialist lawyer John Werhun: “The CPS has authorised the police to charge Christopher Watson with fraud by abuse of position of trust, and six counts of money laundering.