Witholding Of Wages

[jediknight]

I have recently completed a 6 month contract with a UK travel company, operating in the French Alps. Unfortunately I caused some minor damage to one of their hire minibuses back in January. I was not told before leaving this employer that I would have any deductions made from my wages.
Now, the management is witholding a significant amount of money (final months' wages, staff expenses and a 'loyalty' bonus) from me until they have an estimate of costs from the vehicle hire company.
Are they legally allowed to do this, or should I have been paid and the issue of the damage been pursued as a separate matter.