THE businessman at the centre of Swindon’s wi-fi fiasco has had his bankruptcy extended for another four years.

Rikki Hunt was ordered to comply with financial restrictions until January 2016 in a ruling at Swindon County Court.

He stood down as head of the ill-fated Digital City scheme a year ago in a row over its failure to roll out wi-fi.

The firm, which is due to receive a £4,000 bailout by the council to stop it being struck off, was set up to provide coverage for Swindon and Highworth.

But only Highworth was covered and debate rages over the council’s £400,000 investment in the stalled project.

Mr Hunt, 58, also quit his role as chairman of the Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership last August after the Adver revealed he had gone bankrupt.

His financial troubles, which followed a long business history and a spell as Swindon Town chairman, are unconnected to the wi-fi scheme.

Details of the court order, passed in January, emerged as campaigners called for Digital City’s accounts to be made public.

Des Morgan, a retired company director who has been a long-time critic, said: “The accounts should be revealed for three reasons.

“The first is that Coun Garry Perkins, as a director of Digital City, has said he had no problem with the accounts being made public and they would be made public.

“The second is Swindon Council paid for the accounts to be completed and, as such, they have been paid for by the taxpayers.

“The third is that there is a lot of concern over what’s in the accounts in terms of Mr Hunt’s remuneration. We would like to know from those accounts how much of a salary he drew from Digital City’s funds.”

Details at the Insolvency Service list Mr Hunt as ‘unemployed’ under the name John Richard Hunt.

A spokesman for the service said: “When you’re made bankrupt, there are certain restrictions you have to comply with.

“You can’t get credit beyond a certain amount without disclosing that you are bankrupt and you can’t become a director of a company.

“If you already operate a business you have to carry it on in the same name.

“The restrictions also prevent an individual taking up positions including as an MP or a councillor.”

Coun Rod Bluh said: “The finalisation of the accounts is the responsibility of Digital City and not the council. The council has an interest in Digital City as it is a shareholder. The accounts are in the process of being finalised by the Digital City accountants but we understand they have not yet been finalised.

“Once the accounts are filed at Companies House, they will be public documents. It is a matter for the company what other information they make available.”