Sanjeev Gupta, head of Liberty Steel, is seeking a court adjournment to prevent the liquidation of Liberty Speciality Steels UK, after the UK government refused financial support. The winding-up petition, led by Harsco Metals Group and supported by other creditors, threatens 1,450 jobs. Liberty’s earlier restructuring plan failed due to lack of creditor agreement. Gupta hopes to use the extra time to stitch together a rescue deal amid rising energy costs and foreign import pressure.