MORE than 6,000 former MG Rover workers have been left “angry and betrayed” amid claims the Government deliberately stalled publication of a long-awaited inquiry report into the collapse of Longbridge.

As Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today ordered a new fraud investigation into the demise of the car firm dating back to April 2005, MG Rover Trust Fund member Carl Chinn and ex-workers launched blistering attacks on New Labour.

The fraud inquiry threatens to derail payments of four-figure sums to thousands of ex-car workers, more than four years after MG Rover crashed with debts of around £1.3 billion.

Professor Chinn, one of four MG Rover fund trustees, said: “I am just so upset and so angry. It makes you wonder whether the workers are ever going to get this money.

“Workers and their families need the money now. After so many years and having spent so much money on the inquiry, we still can’t help the people we want to help.

“A lot of workers have exchanged a good job with a long-term future for short-term, temporary low paid work. This simply beggars belief – I just wish that politicians would start to look at their impact on people’s lives.”

Former project manager at Longbridge Annil Chandra, who worked at the car plant for more than 20 years, said: “This just smacks of gross incompetence by the Government once again.

“I rely on contracts from the automotive sector and I have not had a contract since last November. My last contract was with Jaguar Land Rover and they disposed of 950 contract workers just before Christmas.

“The former workers at Longbridge feel angry and betrayed after all these years. Politicians just blow hot and cold to suit the needs of the moment.