Hi °C | Lo °C A top estate agent forced to sell up after he was accused of money laundering is back in business.
Philip Johnston is buying back three offices of the east Belfast- based MCW Residential business sacrificed after his arrest.
Mr Johnston was investigated as part of a police probe into the financial affairs of prominent loyalist Jim Gray but charges were dropped in 2006.
He said: "I believe I have the experience behind me and the team to take this business back to its former success as a market leader in a personalised one-to-one estate agency service."
When charges were dropped he said his unexplained arrest and loss of reputation and business had made an irreparable and devastating impact on his life.
Mr Gray, former head of the UDA in east Belfast, was shot dead outside his father's home in October 2005.
Mr Johnston, from King's Road in east Belfast, added: "It is widely recognised within the estate agency business that an experienced agent works best in a slow market."
No reason was given after the Public Prosecution Service decided to drop the case against him.
