BDO seek appeal over Rangers tax case

Rangers' liquidators BDO are seeking leave to appeal a court decision over the so-called "big tax case''.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) won an appeal earlier this month over the use of the now-outlawed employee benefit trusts (EBT) at the club during the first decade of the century.

The Court of Session ruling agreed with HMRC's contention that the scheme amounted to ''a mere redirection of earnings which did not remove the liability of employees to income tax''.

The judges decided any income derived from employees' services is classed as earnings and subject to income tax.

The decision was in relation to Murray Group companies including the liquidated company now called RFC 2012 plc and does not affect the current regime at Ibrox.

A spokesman for the joint liquidators said: "Following discussions with the company's legal advisers and the liquidation committee, the joint liquidators have filed an application seeking leave to appeal the Inner House of the Court of Session decision in respect of the EBT case.

"If the company successfully obtains leave to appeal, the appeal will be heard in the Supreme Court in London.

"The joint liquidators are not in a position at this stage to make any further comment in respect of the appeal.''