Ex-Wrightbus director calls for ‘end to intimidation’

Former Wrightbus director Jeff Wright has said threats have been made to the lives of Wright family members in the wake of the bus-building company’s collapse.

Wrightbus crashed into administration in recent days after efforts to find a buyer for the Ballymena-based company fell through.

Around 1,200 jobs have been lost as a result, causing much anger and dismay within the workforce and the wider community that the company –which was founded back in 1946 – could not be saved.

Wrightbus was one of Northern Ireland’s biggest privately owned employers and one of the last remaining in Ballymena, given the downfall in recent years of the likes of construction giant Patton, tobacco company JTI Gallaher, and tyre manufacturer Michelin.

Questions are being asked about significant amounts of money donated by Wrightbus to the Green Pastures church, which is led by Jeff Wright as its pastor.

The church received £15m in donations over a six-year period.

Since facing financial difficulties, Wrightbus has been searching for a buyer, but the family has also been accused of blocking a deal to save the company.

Jeff Wright, through a separate company he owns, was seeking £1m in rent for the property out of which Wrightbus operated.

That is understood to have been a factor in preventing a prospective buyer signing a deal.

A protest is now planned for Sunday outside Green Pastures.

Those behind it say the event will be “totally peaceful” and that their frustrations are “not aimed at the members of the church, but at the head of it”.

In a statement issued through his solicitor, Jeff Wright said the closure of the business has been “shattering for our family”.

He added: “There have been sinister developments involving threats to the life of Wright family members and I am asking all elected representatives and those with influence in the community to help end this intimidation and fear.”

Jeff Wright’s statement further said: “Generations of families have worked alongside our own family over all these years and so this is deeply and personally felt by everyone.

“We are here to provide our administrators, Deloittes, with all information, order books, financial records and whatever is needed to establish a future plan for the bus manufacturing operation.

“Our commitment to supporting all efforts is unwavering.”

Meanwhile, many organisations and companies around the Ballymena area have tried to rally round those made redundant by the collapse of Wrightbus.

Ballymena United have offered free tickets to Saturday’s game against Cliftonville for workers, while many other shops and service providers have offered various discounts for those affected.

A jobs fair is also planned for the Braid Centre on Tuesday, to help put former Wrightbus workers in touch with companies that are recruiting and also access practical advice and support.