DTurner

Published at 01:00, Tuesday, 07 August 2007

THE Official Receiver has imposed bankruptcy restrictions on Radio Cumbria’s popular drive-time presenter Richard Nankivell.

The DJ, who suffered a heart attack two years ago, has struggled with debts for several years and entered into a voluntary arrangement to stave off bankruptcy in January, 2003.

He told his creditors he had no realisable assets and unsecured debts of £59,456.

As part of the agreement, Mr Nankivell, who was self employed, agreed to make regular payments of income tax and national insurance.

But official papers filed with the government’s Insolvency Service show that he failed to keep up with payments despite earning £108,868 between April 2004 and July 2006 when he was declared bankrupt.

By then he owed HM Revenue and Customs £33,175.

Although the bankruptcy was discharged three weeks ago, Mr Nankivell, 57, is now the subject of a “bankruptcy restrictions undertaking” until July, 2010.

These are imposed by the Official Receiver when a bankrupt’s behaviour is judged to have been “dishonest or blameworthy”.

In Mr Nankivell’s case, the documents say he “neglected his business affairs to the detriment of the Crown”.

The restrictions prevent him from serving as a company director, standing for Parliament or for election as a local councillor. He must also disclose his status if applying for credit of more than £500.

Mr Nankivell, who lives near Penrith, declined to comment when contacted.

The Devon-born presenter joined BBC Radio Cumbria in 1992. Before his heart attack, he presented Good Morning Cumbria, but switched to the 4pm drive-time slot on his return to work last year.

He has also presented Simply Classics on Sundays.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk