
Why the Rush to Intervene? What Are They Hiding?
The rush to intervene by the UK Treasury and other parties in the Johnson case raises significant questions. This sudden flurry of involvement isn’t about clarity or fairness—it’s about keeping critical facts hidden from the public. Cases like FirstRand Bank demonstrate why these parties are desperate to obscure the truth.
In a PCP claim case handled by Sentinel Legal, FirstRand Bank provided heavily redacted documents, it was revealed that 43.66% of the total interest charged on a motor finance agreement was funnelled into undisclosed commissions. Despite this, the lender argues they owe the client nothing. It’s no wonder the entire industry is scrambling to intervene. The recent intervention by Rachel Reeves and the Labour Party adds another layer of controversy. Instead of championing transparency and standing with consumers, the government’s actions appear to favour lenders and brokers.
This intervention only serves to protect lenders, delay justice, and bury facts like the 43.66% commission found in a recent FirstRand Bank case by Sentinel Legal, facts that the public deserves to know.
The FirstRand Bank Case: A Stark Example of Misconduct
Documents from FirstRand Bank reveal just how much consumers are paying in hidden commissions without their knowledge. In one motor finance agreement, the numbers tell a shocking story:
Total Interest Charged: £5,090
Total Commission Paid: £2,222.38
Dealer Commission (Pentagon Huddersfield Nissan): £334.34 (1.7% of total interest)
Volume Bonus Paid to Pentagon Head Office: £1,888.04 (9.6% of total interest)
This means 43.66% of the total interest charged went directly into undisclosed commission payments—almost half of what the consumer paid in interest.
Even more disturbing, FirstRand Bank continues to argue they owe the client nothing, despite their own documents showing these hefty commissions. These payments were hidden, redacted, and deliberately kept out of the consumer's view.

What Are They Trying to Hide?
The Johnson case and others like it are bringing systemic mis-selling practices to light. The sudden surge of interventions, including from the UK Treasury and the FLA, is a desperate attempt to:
Shield Lenders from Accountability:
With billions in potential liabilities, lenders are scrambling to protect themselves from the financial fallout.
Bury Damning Evidence:
Cases like the FirstRand Bank example expose the truth: commissions as high as 43% are being siphoned from consumers’ payments, and brokers and lenders profit without disclosure.
Delay Justice:
The rush to intervene is designed to slow down the legal process and dilute public awareness of the issue.
The Bigger Picture: How Widespread Is This?
The numbers shared by the FLA show just how deeply entrenched these practices are in the motor finance industry:
31.7 million car finance agreements
have been issued since 2007, with nearly 99% involving commission payments.
In the 12 months to November 2024:
£17.6 billion was borrowed for 625,000 new cars.
£21.3 billion was borrowed for 1.4 million used cars.
Analysts estimate potential liabilities ranging from £10 billion to £43 billion.
The FirstRand Bank case is just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting why these interventions are happening now. The scale of mis-selling, hidden commissions, and profit-driven decisions is massive.
Sam Ward: “The Interventions Speak for Themselves”
Sam Ward, Director of Sentinel Legal, addressed the rush to intervene:
"The fact that every man and his dog is rushing to intervene tells you everything you need to know. They don’t want the truth out there, and they’ll do everything in their power to keep it hidden. The 43% commission paid in the FirstRand Bank case is a glaring example of why lenders can’t be trusted. I would be surprised if the Supreme Court even takes notice of these interventions. The Supreme Court makes laws that outlast any government. The lord justices are thinking in terms of generational lengths of time and are there to interpret the law—nothing else."

What This Means for You
The rush to intervene is a clear indication that lenders and brokers are desperate to avoid accountability. Cases like FirstRand Bank reveal:
Undisclosed Commissions:
Consumers unknowingly paid thousands more, often exceeding 40% of their total interest.
Profit-Driven Practices:
Volume bonuses and dealer incentives created a system where consumer rights were ignored.
Widespread Mis-Selling:
This isn’t an isolated issue—it’s a systemic problem affecting millions of agreements.
Take Action Today
If you’ve had a car on finance and suspect you’ve been mis-sold, Sentinel Legal is here to help.
Our advanced tools and expertise can uncover hidden commissions and fight for the justice you deserve.
Learn More About the Fight for Justice
🎙️ Listen to Our Podcast
Join Kevin Durkin, who represented Mr Johnson in the Court of Appeal, as he discusses the landmark case and what it means for consumers:
The Bottom Line
The 43% commission payment in the FirstRand Bank case is just one example of the industry-wide scandal the Johnson case threatens to expose. The rush to intervene is a desperate move to keep these facts hidden, but Sentinel Legal is committed to ensuring the truth comes out and justice is served.
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Listen to Our Podcast
🎙️ For an in-depth discussion, listen to Kevin Durkin discuss the Johnson case and its implications:
