9:00 am, December 12, 2025
Politician Dave Doogan is to appear as a witness for Mackie Motors when the firm takes on Renault and Nissan in its upcoming High Court trial.
The dealer group is currently embroiled in action against the carmakers and RCI Financial Services Limited, after its banking, and access to key dealer systems, were pulled with seven days notice back in 2021.
Boss Kevin Mackie has continued to maintain the action was unjust and trial is expected to take place in the High Court next year.
Doogan, MP for Angus and Perthshire Glens, has been a vocal supporter of Mackie’s cause, having previously raised the case in parliament.
He also spoke exclusively to Car Dealer earlier this year, when he labelled RCI a ‘faceless foreign bank’ which destroyed Mackie’s business.
It has now been confirmed that the SNP politician will give evidence during the trial and Mackie says he will be a ‘crucial voice’ in the case.
He said: ‘I am delighted to say that Dave Doogan MP has confirmed he will be a witness for Mackie Motors in our upcoming High Court trial in London against RCI Bank and Services, Renault Group and Nissan Motors GB.
‘He will be a crucial voice in finally exposing what really happened to Mackie Motors. Dave Doogan has been a pillar of support since December 2021 and, just like the MPs who stood by the postmasters in the Post Office scandal, he has supported us through this entire ordeal.
‘In December 2024, Dave Doogan MP met with the CEO of RCI Bank Mobilize Financial Services to discuss the very issues that destroyed our family business.
‘This meeting and his continued pressure on government ministers and regulators has ensured that the truth could no longer be hidden behind lawyers.
‘We did nothing wrong, yet Renault Nissan Motors GB and RCI Bank continue to choose to treat us like the enemy.
‘After 45 years of doing everything right, my family was thrown aside overnight without a single conversation.
‘I still cannot understand how this was allowed to happen and I look forward to seeing exactly what investigations Renault and Nissan Motors GB actually carried out prior to cutting all supply.
‘The truth will finally be heard and everyone will see what was allowed to happen to Mackie Motors.’
How have we got here?
Mackie Motors was initially locked out of manufacturer systems in late 2021, amid internal suspicions of money laundering.
Mackie strongly denies the claims and describes the accusations as ‘unfounded’. Within weeks of being shut off, the business was sold in a distress deal.
Last year, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal ruled that RCI did have the right to cut off the dealership at seven days’ notice but a fresh case is now set to be heard in the High Court.
Mackie also recently launched legal action against the law firm which represented him in that case, claiming negligence and breach of contract.
As well as Doogan, Mackie has also received political support from Nigel Farage after appearing on his GB News show.
Sources close to the current proceedings have told Car Dealer that the fresh case will benefit from ‘whistleblower evidence’, which ‘reframes the legal argument’.
Renault, Nissan and RCI say that the ongoing proceedings ‘repeat matters already litigated in previous proceedings’ and accuse Mackie Motors of ‘re-litigating’ the same facts under new legal theories.
The defendants have also issued two counter claims. The first seeks the repayment of a £250,000 interest-free loan, as well as £91,308.94 in interest and the second is asking for £280,943.32 in unpaid costs from prior proceedings, in addition to £52,333.84 in interest.
In reference to Mackie’s case, RCI told Car Dealer earlier this year that it ‘values its relationships with dealers very highly’ as it pointed to previous court decisions.
A spokesman for the bank said: ‘We are not able to comment on an ongoing litigation.
‘However, it’s worth noting that three previous courts, including the High Court and the Court of Appeal, found in favour of our actions regarding MMBL.
‘We value our relationships with dealers very highly, so it was not action we undertook lightly, and we never had reason to do so before or since.’
At the same time, Renault and Nissan said that they would be seeking to have the proceedings thrown out ‘at the earliest opportunity’.
