The meat trader at the centre of the horse meat scandal was declared bankrupt by a court in Den Bosch on Tuesday.

Willy Selten’s company was taken to court by three workers who requested bankruptcy be declared because they have not been paid since February and want to apply for unemployment benefit.

Selten’s firm in Oss was closed down by food safety inspectors in February on suspicion beef was being mixed with horse meat.

Selten said at the time the meat was always checked and the problems relate to one period in May 2012.

Last week, the food safety inspectorate said it was recalling thousands of tonnes of beef because the origins of the meat are not clear and its safety cannot be guaranteed.

Selten said the recall was ‘ridiculous’ and would only create more unrest.