Fired boss of Southend Airport’s owner Stobart denies £5m expenses claim
The former chief executive of Southend and Carlisle airports’ parent company the Stobart Group has denied improperly taking £5 million of ‘so-called expenses’.
Andrew Tinkler is claiming he was wrongfully dismissed from Stobart after he was sacked as chief executive for an alleged breach of contract in June.
At a High Court in London, it was claimed that Tinkler was trying to oust Stobart chairman Iain Ferguson.
The hearing heard that Tinkler, who was chief executive for 10 years, had allegedly conspired with other businessmen to damage the company’s interests.
However, his barrister, John Tayler QC, told the court that there was ‘no proper basis’ for the conspiracy allegations made by Stobart bosses.
He said allegations that Tinkler had taken £5 million of ‘so-called expenses’ from the company in breach of fiduciary duties ‘should never have been brought’.
Taylor also said that claims of ‘excessive or unnecessary’ helicopter use were made tomake ‘lurid’ newspaper headlines.
Lawyers representing the Stobart Group told the court that board members had learned earlier this year that Tinkler had been briefing shareholders against the board.
They claimed Tinkler had told shareholders: "Either Mr Ferguson or me."
Lawyers said Tinkler had mentioned concerns about Ferguson’s chairmanship and that he was worried the group was going ‘off-strategy’.
Stobart’s barrister Richard Leiper QC said: "The company would say this is a man who truly has his own interests at heart."
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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