From page 151:
49. Some of the operational responsibilities of the Operator as AOC holder including operational control were being inappropriately exercised by the Owner and Ticket Seller
There you have it. Manx2 were playing airline. The two Spanish companies were just a means to an end. Manx 2 knew exactly what was going on.
Just think how did a young British low hours pilot get recruited by a Spanish company? That just happen to operate in the UK? How did the Spanish operator (who allegedly had no contact with Manx 2) come to pick up night freight charters? How did they come to get sub-charters for other pax ops? The IOM based company is the common link here.
Tragic that people lives were lost. Including the poor guys up front. Infuriating that those behind it are soldiering on with a new brand and will not carry any of the responsibility, just blaming it on the crew, the Spanish, and a company in liquidation.