The official line goes like this: In September 2011, Mr. Villella announced that he would depart MCB after the 2012-2013 season.

WSJ: Stepping Gracefully Back to His Hometown

The clash between Mr. Villella, who is 76, and the MCB board reportedly centered around the future and the finances of the company.

WSJ: Stepping Gracefully Back to His Hometown

MCB's factory is to operate at its full capacity of 60, 000 cars a year, it has to steal a lot of sales from other brands.

ECONOMIST: The desert booms

MCB's Gaborone plant as at similar factories in South Africa.

ECONOMIST: The desert booms

Separately, ministers have been urged to rethink plans to sever official links with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) after one of its senior officials made remarks seen to be offensive.

BBC: MP attacks 'PC' Church leadership

"This is an appalling and abhorrent kind of behaviour which is totally unacceptable regardless of race or religion, " said Sheikh Mogra, the MCB's Assistant Secretary General, on BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme.

BBC: Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain

But a statement signed by Dr Abdullah and other senior MCB officials said the body did not "condone, encourage or support attacking British soldiers or warships in this country or anywhere in the world".

BBC: MP attacks 'PC' Church leadership