'Death threats' issued to family behind Wrightbus

Q Newsdesk

Members of the Wright family have received death threats since the collapse of Wrightbus on Wednesday.

That's according to former director of the company Jeff Wright, who issued a statement last night.

The Ballymena business entered administration earlier this week leaving 1,200 staff redundant.

Mr. Wright has called for an end to the alleged intimidation and has urged elected representatives to step in.

He said:

"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".

"The closure of our family business has been devastating to our loyal and highly skilled workforce and the loss of the company my father and I have grown and nurtured for over 70 years has been shattering for our family".

"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, Deloitte's, 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, 

The collapse of the bus-manufacturer has led to renewed calls for devolution to be restored in Northern Ireland

Here's Stephen Kelly - Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI: