Healthcare Environmental Services ceased trading after a build-up of clinical waste at its depots prompted the NHS to cancel contracts. Directors of the Scots firm which sparked a UK-wide clinical waste crisis have failed to hand over vital account information, administrators have revealed.

Fresh reports to creditors for two failed companies linked to Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) say the server containing backup accounts critical to the process was removed from the Lanarkshire HQ.

The paperwork details the apparent transfer of shares and the lease for the Shotts plant before the companies collapsed owing millions of pounds – and it lays bare the shocking extent of the 1500-ton mountain of waste festering at their eight sites.

Accountancy firm BDO is acting for creditors in relation to HES and two other firms directed by Pettigrew and his wife, Alison. They say they are just weeks away from finalising a sale of assets.

A great story for the newspapers. But expecting that the only think that can be believed when found in the newspapers is the date (The Guardian excepted), is this true?