A York-based adviser to the oil industry has undertaken to disqualify himself as a director of any company for the next five years because of his "unfit conduct", it was disclosed today.

William Pratt's company, Boldguild Limited which operated from his home, Panmure House, in Gate Helmsley, went into liquidation on December 15, 1999 owing £29,275.

The self-imposed ban, accepted by the Department of Trade and Industry, follows an investigation into how he failed to pay the taxman money, yet paid himself a large salary from his firm which offered management services and advice on commissioning construction work to the oil industry.

The Insolvency Service reported today that Mr Pratt had continued to trade to the detriment of the Inland Revenue from at least October 1998, as a result of which the taxman was the only loser in its liquidation claim of £29,601.

Yet from that date until August 12, 1999, he had drawn salary and dividends from Boldguild Limited totalling £42,064.84 - three quarters of the total payments made out of the company's bank account.

Mr Pratt was also accused by the Insolvency Service of failing to maintain a PAYE system for Boldguild, and failing to submit accounts and returns to Companies House from June 8, 1995.

Should he be convicted of breaking his legally-binding pledge, Mr Pratt could face a prison sentence of up to two years, or a fine, or both.

Mr Pratt was unavailable for comment earlier today.

Updated: 12:02 Thursday, June 21, 2001