James Munroe, the former Automotive Skills director of corporate affairs, spent less than an hour before Middlesex Guildhall crown court last week.

His case has been adjourned for a second time and will now be heard on December 21 after Munroe’s lawyers argued they had not had sufficient time to prepare their defence.

Munroe, accused of stealing thousands of pounds from Automotive Skills, the London-based sector skills council for the motor industry, is now facing 22 charges, up from the initial four counts.

They include theft - stealing cash to the value of £70,000 – and two counts of forgery - using company cheques issued by Lloyds TSB and obtaining pecuniary advantage for self by deception.

The new charges relate to similar offences.

Munroe, who took up his post in March 2004, was dismissed in July this year after an audit by both PricewaterhouseCoopers and Hays McIntyre prompted questioning by Automotive Skill accountants. He was arrested and taken to Marylebone police station.