UK

Police report Stagecoach co-founder over human trafficking allegations

Police investigating Stagecoach founder Dame Ann Gloag and others in connection with a probe into human trafficking allegations have submitted a report to prosecutors.

Four people were charged in January by Police Scotland.

At the time, a spokesperson for Dame Ann said she “strongly disputes the malicious allegations” made against her, her foundation and members of her family.

The force said on Wednesday that a report has now been sent to prosecutors. The Crown Office confirmed it had received the report.

A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesperson said: “Careful consideration is given to any reports of alleged criminal conduct which are submitted by the police, or any other specialist reporting agency, to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Criminal proceedings will be raised if such reports contain sufficient evidence and if it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so.”

A spokeswoman for Dame Ann declined to comment on the latest development.

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Dame Ann co-founded the Stagecoach bus company in 1980, with her brother Brian Souter, and was made a dame for her business and charity work.

The company is the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, and is now managed by DWS Infrastructure.

The Gloag Foundation is a charitable trust set up by Dame Ann, which works to support projects that “prevent or relieve poverty and encourage the advancement of education, health and religion in the UK and overseas”, according to its website.