Peter Marples is holding firm in his High Court battle as his family lawyers attempt to pick apart the government’s defence.
The co-founder of 3aaa is attempting to sue the Department for Education for the then-Skills Funding Agency’s refusal to sign off on the change of ownership of the former apprenticeship giant in 2016, two years before the company went bust amid an investigation and police referral.
In the latest instalment of the legal action, Marples’ lawyer, Mark Harper KC, has countered the DfE’s claim that the case is “fundamentally flawed” and attempted to justify why a financial loss was suffered.
The reply to the defence also submitted evidence which alleges that the SFA had originally intended to sign off on the sale before U-turning at the 11th hour, and claims that the DfE has admitted the funding agency “did not have the power to approve a change of control”.
