I KNEW IT WAS DOOMED

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jan 11, 2009 | by STEPHEN MAGUIRE

COLLAPSED crystal giant Waterford's most famous worker quit the company-after she saw confidential documents that revealed it was going bust SEVEN years ago.

The jobs of more than 800 workers now hang in the balance unless a buyer is found for the troubled company which went into administration this week.

But flamed-haired Sarah Ferguson saw trouble in store for the world-famous crystal giant in 2001.

A spokesman for Prince Andrew's ex-wife Fergie has revealed she gave up a plum EUR600,000-a-year job as the company's "inter- national ambassador" after she saw it was in financial trouble.

She resigned quietly and without fuss because she felt uncomfortable about taking the money when she knew the company was struggling. Her spokesman added: "She could see the way things were going from the confidential company information that she had access to."

Fergie is still good friends with Waterford Wedgwood boss Tony O'Reilly, who resigned last week.

"She stayed on good terms with him and continued to speak up for company."

Three US firms are believed to be interested in buying the crystal maker. Over the years the company has tried to relaunch aligning itself with names such as Gordon Ramsay and designer John Rocca.

The Mayor of Waterford councillor Jack Walsh described the situation as a "national disaster".

The pensions of the 800 workers in the Waterford factory are also in peril.

The group's pension scheme is now a staggering EUR111million in the red and may have to be wound up if a buyer is not fond leaving workers with no job and no pensions.