Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag charged with human trafficking

theguardian.com:

The co-founder of Stagecoach Dame Ann Gloag has been charged with human trafficking offences.

Police Scotland has confirmed four people were charged after an investigation into alleged human trafficking and immigration offences. All four have denied the allegations.

A spokesperson for the Scottish transport multimillionaire said Gloag “strongly disputes the malicious allegations” made against her.

The spokesperson said they could not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation, however Gloag “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.”

Gloag co-founded the Stagecoach bus company in 1980 with her brother Brian Souter and was made a dame in 2019 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, a charitable trust set up by Gloag, 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.