Retired businessman Jonathan Irving and his son Jamie have been facing directors’ disqualification proceedings in the high court.

The case against them has been brought by the Financial Services Authority which accuses them of unfit conduct while directors of their Street Heritage company, now in liquidation. ’We will vigorously defend this vexatious claim,’ Mr Irving senior told iomtoday.

The hearing took place over four days this month after a strike-out application by the Irvings was rejected.

Closing written submissions from both sides are due to be filed by noon on Monday (September 28) with oral responses to be heard on October 5.

A deferred judgment is expected to be handed down in court by Deemster Christie some time in October.

Mr Irving and his son have represented themselves in court. Evidence was heard from the liquidator Paul Shimmin, Paul Mylchreest from the FSA, Jonathan Irving and former MHK Walter Gilbey. Jamie Irving chose not to give evidence.

Street Heritage was wound up following a short court hearing in February 2010, over an unpaid tax bill totalling £182,929.

Mr Mylchreest told the hearing that evidence given by Mr Irving in the Stephen Harding trial had ’confirmed matters suspected by us’.

Former Attorney General Mr Harding was formally acquitted of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2014 after juries in two criminal trials failed to deliver a verdict.

Mr Mylchreest insisted that matters relating to Mr Harding’s conduct as government advocate at the winding up hearing were not directly related to the disqualification claim.

Mr Irving asked why Mr Harding not telling the Deemster that arrangements had been made to pay off Street Heritage’s debts was not relevant.

’Because they don’t directly relate to the matters in the claim form,’ Mr Mylchreest replied.

Mr Irving cited a report by forensic accountants Bartfield Services which he said showed Street Heritage was not insolvent as at February 2010.

The Irvings say the feel vindicated following a recent high court ruling relating to their multi-million pound claim for losses they said they incurred as a result of Street Heritage going into liquidation.

In a judgment, Deemster Corlett ruled that Street Heritage’s advocate Jerry Carter had been negligent by not turning up in time for the 2010 winding-up hearing.

Deemster Corlett concluded it would have been ’very probable’ that the court would have agreed to adjourn the case, giving the company time to attempt to put together a rescue package.

He said he could well see an argument, albeit with the benefit of hindsight, that ultimately SHL would have been wound up anyway but there was a ’distinct possibility’ it would have survived.