A UK court has frozen £150 million worth of assets belonging to Winston Soosaipillai, also known as Sanjeev Kumar, the owner of the collapsed Prax Lindsey oil refinery. The move follows the refinery’s sudden financial collapse earlier this year, which has left hundreds of workers facing job losses and raised serious concerns about the UK’s shrinking refining sector.

Legal Action Against the Refinery Owner

Administrators of five Prax-linked companies are suing Soosaipillai for breach of director duties. Court filings reveal that irregularities tied to a £783 million securitisation loan played a central role in the collapse. The High Court’s freezing injunction prevents him from moving or selling assets worth up to £150 million. Breaching the order could result in fines, imprisonment, or seizure of assets.

The administrators are also pursuing damages for misrepresentation, contract breaches, and deceit, though the exact figure is yet to be determined.

Worker Protests and Political Pressure

The refinery’s closure has sparked outrage. Trade union Unite staged protests outside Parliament, calling the shutdown an act of “industrial vandalism.” General Secretary Sharon Graham urged the Labour government to intervene, saying Lindsey could still be saved to protect jobs.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks has also called on Soosaipillai to support the workers, many of whom face redundancy.

A Blow to UK Oil Refining

The Lindsey refinery, located on the Humber estuary, was one of just five remaining refineries in the UK. No buyer was found during the administration process, marking another setback for Britain’s refining capacity.

Reports suggest the Soosaipillais left for Dubai shortly after the collapse, having already withdrawn £11.5 million in salaries and dividends since acquiring the site in 2021.

The refinery’s downfall highlights the fragile state of the UK’s downstream oil and gas industry, as well as the urgent need for stronger oversight and long-term energy strategy.