Bus tycoon charged with human trafficking

ONE of Scotland’s richest women has reportedly been charged by police in connection with human trafficking offences.

Dame Ann Gloag, 80, the millionaire co-founder of Stagecoach, was charged along with her husband and two other family members after a police interview on Thursday, the Scottish Daily Mail reported.

Dame Ann “strongly disputes” the allegations, a spokesman told the paper.

It is understood the claims concern her charitable work.

Police Scotland confirmed that four people have been charged in connection with alleged human trafficking and immigration offences.

Dame Ann co-founded the transport company Stagecoach with her brother Sir Brian Souter in 1980, and served as an executive director until 2000.

She has also been involved in several charity projects, founding the Freedom From Fistula Foundation in 2008.

The charity is dedicated to helping women and girls injured by prolonged, obstructed childbirth in Sierra Leone and Madagascar.

A spokesman told the Daily Mail that he could not comment on the details of the ongoing investigation.

He added: “Dame Ann strongly disputes the malicious allegations that have been made against her, her foundation and members of her family, and will vigorously defend herself and the work of her foundation to protect her legacy and continue her work helping thousands of people in the UK and abroad every year.’

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “On Jan 19, four individuals were charged in connection with an investigation into alleged human trafficking and immigration offences. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

Dame Ann was made a Dame in the 2019 New Year Honours list in recognition of her business and charitable work.

She and her brother, who grew up on a council estate in Perth, launched Stagecoach in 1980.

‘Dame Ann strongly disputes the malicious allegations that have been made against her’