Ian Pearson, minister at the Northern Ireland Office, is calling for a full inquiry into MG Rover’s corporate structure.

Following a Guardian investigation yesterday Pearson, MP for Dudley South and a former member of the Rover taskforce that helped to save the company four years ago, said: “It seems a very complicated structure and I don’t see any reason why it should be so complex.

"After working with the taskforce to ensure the company continued I want to make sure that everything is above board now and that it has the best chance of survival. I will be asking the trade and industry [select] committee to look in detail at MG Rover.”