London | The embattled empire of Whyalla steelworks owner Sanjeev Gupta has come under fresh pressure in the British courts, where the Dubai-based businessman is fending off two new lawsuits.

Europe’s largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, has applied to the English High Court to put one of Mr Gupta’s key holding companies – which covers most of his continental European operations – into administration. ArcelorMittal is pursuing an unpaid debt.