A Kinross haulage firm boss who was handed a three-year ban by the traffic commissioner has vowed to fight the sanction.
George McMinn and six drivers who had worked for his firm, Bruntshill Haulage, were called before a hearing accused of breaking driver safety laws.
However, Mr McMinn has branded the report a “character assassination” and has launched an appeal against his ban.
He claims to have the support of many customers and ex-drivers, none of whom agree with the findings.
He said: “I do not accept the conclusions reached by the commissioner and have instructed my legal team, after taking advice, to lodge an appeal against the decision.
“In 10 years of operating in the transport business I have an excellent maintenance record and 100% MOT annual pass rate for all vehicles and trailers.
“As a driver I have never had an accident and none of the drivers in my employ have ever been involved in a road traffic accident. I have never asked nor instructed any driver to break the law.”
He added that he had paid out of his own pocket for drivers to undertake compulsory additional professional training.
He continued: “I do not accept that my business was chaotic the Inland Revenue and VAT returns were always submitted on time and paid in full.
“I also dealt with other creditors properly and timeously. The whole business is run on a lawful basis.
“I have worked hard to build up the business and to offer full-time to a significant number of employees over the years.
“The traffic commissioner’s decision will have a significant impact on a number of employees and others who depend on my business.”
Mr McMinn added that the period investigated by the traffic commissioner was when he was recovering from a heart attack.
Earlier this month Joan Aitken, traffic commissioner for Scotland, revoked Mr McMinn’s operator’s licence for a period of three years and disqualified or suspended five men from driving professionally.
A sixth driver received a warning, a seventh was not brought before the commissioner because he did not hold a UK licence and the firm’s transport manager was banned indefinitely.