England World Cup winning rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio winds up his business but avoids bankruptcy after reaching deal with taxman over £700,000 bill 

• HMRC official told judge ‘voluntary agreement’ had been reached with Dallaglio
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

A judge has dismissed a personal bankruptcy petition lodged by tax officials against former England rugby union star Lawrence Dallaglio, who was told he owed £700,000 in unpaid tax.

An HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) official told the judge that a ‘voluntary agreement’ had been reached, which means Dallaglio agreed to pay the tax he owed. 

Judge Sebastian Prentis said at yesterday’s hearing at the Insolvency and Companies Court that the petition was dismissed and told the hearing: ‘I am pleased that that ends this saga.’ 

The judge gave Dallaglio time to pay off his debt after a hearing in May, where he was told that the former England player was trying to raise money by selling a property.

The 51-year-old, who was part of the England side that won the World Cup in 2003, was not at the latest hearing on his debt and is currently in France for the Rugby World Cup, which he covers as an analyst for ITV. 

An HM Revenue & Customs ( HMRC ) official told the judge that a ‘voluntary agreement’ had been reached, which means Dallaglio agreed to pay the tax he owed

The 51-year-old, who was part of the England side that won the World Cup in 2003 (pictured here with Kyran Bracken on the right), was not at the latest hearing on his debt and is currently in France for the Rugby World Cup , which he covers as an analyst for ITV 

HMRC has, in separate litigation, lodged a winding up petition against a company called Lawrence Dallaglio Limited.

Another judge, at a different hearing, in the Bankruptcy and Companies Court in London considered that case yesterday.

HMRC representative Oberon Kwok applied for an immediate winding-up of the company over the unpaid tax bill.

Dallaglio, who is listed as a company officer on a Companies House website, was not at the hearing but was represented by barrister Peter Head.

Head applied for an adjournment of six weeks during which the company would go into voluntary liquidation, which would mean a payment being made to creditors.  

Judge Paul Greenwood made no orders but said the case would be reconsidered on October 11.

The company, which is based at his £3million home in Richmond, south London, has been run by Dallaglio since 1997, when he became England captain.

But his wife Alice, 51, stepped down as the company’s director and secretary in February this year, according to The Times.

Source: Read Full Article