Hertfordshire-based Affinity Connected went into administration with Peter Hughes-Holland and Frank Wessely of Vantis Business Recovery Services on 26 March this year.

The company was sold in a pre-pack deal to TU Ink, for which Lord Evans is a director. TU Ink has said that it had no choice but to purchase the company as a pre-pack.

TU Ink director Alf Martin told PrintWeek: "When Affinity was struggling it approached us, and we bought the company in a pre-pack deal.

"We will not be honouring the debts of Affinity from prior to the administration, but we have been paying suppliers for the work in progress."

Affinity Connected director Richard Evans was formerly a director at Centurion Press Group, which his father Lord Evans sold to Communisis for £42m in 2002.

According to Martin, Richard Evans is currently working as a freelance salesman, but he is looking for other work. Two members of Affinity staff have been taken on by TU Ink.

He added that information sent out in February stating that the two companies had merged was incorrect.

Martin explained: "At the time that was the intention, but when we looked at the books it was not possible to take down the amount of debt they had. I think they thought we would just step in and solve their problems."

Hughes-Holland said: "Following interest from a number of potential purchasers, the business assets were sold to a connected company, TU Ink, on the same day it was placed into administration. The sale of the business has safeguarded all jobs."