The highest paid director at Peoples Motor Group took home more than £365,000 in salary, pension contributions and dividends last year.

The Herald reported the West Lothian-based Ford and Mazda dealer appeared to be defying the industry slump by paying such a sum to a director, assumed to be Labour party supporter Brian Gilda.

Peoples’ latest accounts unveiled profits before tax and dividend payouts of £1.5m for the year ending July, dipping just slightly from £1.6m the year before.

Gilda said: “While this result is pleasing, the end of the year was significantly affected by the credit crunch and the well-publicised economic conditions being experienced.

“We have started our financial year against the backdrop of an economy which has been severely affected by the global banking crisis."

He added: "We have reviewed all our revenue and cost items and have ensured that we are as fit as we can be for the tough times ahead."