MG Rover to hear criminal investigation decision

Bosses of collapsed UK car maker MG Rover are to find out whether the failed firm could be subject to a criminal investigation.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in Britain will announce whether a criminal investigation into the collapse could take place after Peter Mandelson launched a bid last month to find out if there were grounds for prosecution.

Inquiries into the collapse have caused mounting anger after costing £16m (€18.6m) in taxpayer cash and taking four years to complete.

The British government was accused last month of kicking the report into the long grass after asking the SFO to see if there were grounds for prosecution.

If a criminal investigation is ordered, the publication of the British government inquiry into MG Rover's closure could be delayed for months.

Mandelson told the business select committee that the SFO had set up a team of four and would take 20 days to carry out its investigation.

He said: "I can assure you there is no question of this report being put in the long grass - it is a pretty closely mown lawn."

Julie Kirkbride (Con Bromsgrove) previously said former Rover workers were "very frustrated" at the length of time it had taken inspectors to report to the Government, but Mandelson replied that he could not tell them how to do their job or it might be seen as trying to block their inquiry.

The 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.