Apology and retraction to Robert McVicker Jnr

Speech bubble

An article was published by Travel Weekly on 29 January 2019 titled “Missing computers, insolvent trading and a ‘shadow’ director: Bestjet report reveals all”.

The article contained numerous erroneous allegations about Robert McVicker, including:

a. that Mr McVicker failed to lodge a police report for missing computers, despite the report to creditors of Bestjet Travel Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (“Bestjet”) dated 29 January 2019

stating that Mr McVicker facilitated a police report;

b. that Mr McVicker was reported to ASIC for failing to provide information regarding Bestjet, despite the report to creditors stating that only Rachel James and Michael James were reported to ASIC;

c. the statement provided by Rachel James, which alleged that Mr McVicker’s mismanagement of Bestjet caused it to enter external administration and caused devastation to hundreds of employees. This is despite the report to creditors indicating that:

i. Bestjet had gross losses for two prior financial years before Mr McVicker’s acquisition of Bestjet and a deficiency in cash available to meet the client funds in the millions for three prior financial years before Mr McVicker’s acquisition of Bestjet;

ii. Bestjet employed approximately three staff in its Brisbane head office;

d. that Mr McVicker allowed Michael James, who was disqualified by ASIC, to manage Bestjet, despite the report to creditors indicating that the disqualification from ASIC had been removed on 21 November 2016.

Travel Weekly apologises to Mr McVicker for publishing these erroneous accusations about him, and accepts that he was not responsible for the collapse of Bestjet and or its subsidiaries.

Travel Weekly apologises to Mr McVicker for any hurt, distress and embarrassment the article may have caused him and his family.


Featured image source: iStock/bob_bosewell

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