But she also went out of her way to mention his standing in the industry, recently recognised again by that award from his peers. I guess he was trying to salvage something at the end and was clutching at straws when Bishop made his 'offer'. I can understand that: might have done the same myself in his position.
What seems clear from the report is that whilst all wasn't rosy at either Velvet or WG, both Phil Stockley and Mark Howarth did attempt to operate properly and to the correct legal requirements in terms of vehicle maintenance and service reliability, at least in the past.
Phil Stockley is basically exonerated in so far that whilst issues had been encountered, he had attempted to resolve these professionally and had responded to the TC's instructions. Mark Howarth's repute is based on his long standing record and that of WG. That said, it was clear in later days that despite the understandable impact and laudable attempts to resolve things, the fires had been destructive in terms of service reliability. That is still regarded as a major issue, and that the TM claimed to be "in name only" is perhaps what stands out.
However, it is Messrs Bishop and Smith/Jones that are the main target of the report. Mr Smith/Jones is obviously a convicted fraudster who only avoided jail for using and possessing counterfeit notes because it would put other people out of work at Velvet
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11450476.New_owner_of_bus_firm_avoids_jail_over_fake_cash/
The pair have a lot of history, not least in Buses Etcetera in Surrey where Smith was a director and Bishop the ops manager. That seems like a decent firm and is still going though neither have any involvement now, though there were a few issues there when they were.
Mr Bishop was also involved in Countryliner in Sussex. A less than quality operation and also failed.
Given these litany of failure, I'm not surprised that TC's will be very interested in any return to the industry that either may wish to make.
