Lotus owners suspend chief Bahar over complaint

The chief executive of Norfolk-based Lotus Group Dany Bahar has been suspended by the Malaysian parent company DRB-Hicom.

BBC Look East business correspondent Richard Bond said Mr Bahar was suspended for an investigation of a complaint against him by DRB which bought Lotus in January.

"DRB are now reviewing whether to keep it or sell it," Bond said.

He said the move added to uncertainty about the future of Lotus.

Mr Bahar, who joined Lotus in September 2009, helped to win £10.7m from the government's Regional Growth Fund and unveiled five new cars at the Paris motor show in October last year.

DRB-Hicom gained control of Lotus Group's previous owner Proton Cars.

Uncertainty has followed speculation in the industry that the company was going into administration or would be sold to a Chinese firm.

South Norfolk Conservative MP Richard Bacon said in Parliament consultancy firm KPMG had been hired to sell Lotus and he asked the new owner to clarify the future of the plant at Hethel, south of Norwich.

Lotus Group said it disputed "lots of the facts" presented by Mr Bacon.