Fraud probe into Rover collapse

Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been asked to investigate the collapse of MG Rover after a four-year probe into the Midlands car maker’s demise, it was confirmed today.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said in a written statement to Parliament that the SFO had been called on to “consider whether there should be a criminal investigation” following the recent long-awaited results of the Rover report.

The Birmingham-based firm collapsed in 2005, which led to the loss of 6,000 jobs at the car maker and many more at affected suppliers and dealers.