Newcastle Airport start legal action against ex-boss
21.05.07
Newcastle Airport has launched legal action against former chief executive John Parkin, a local newspaper has reported. Court papers - which are subject to a confidentiality agreement - have already been lodged with the High Court, it reports.
The move comes amid claims from 'a well-placed source' that Mr Parkin had an ongoing relationship with a European company that has recently bought Leeds Bradford Airport, the Newcastle Journal newspaper reports. The source claimed that he was to be 'parachuted in as chief executive' of the West Yorkshire airport by private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital, who bought Leeds Bradford from 5 local councils for £145.5m two weeks ago.
Mr Parkin suspended from his day-to-day duties in March, after an inquiry was launched into 'certain personal contractual issues'. It was announced on Thursday that he had resigned from his role a week ago with immediate effect.
A Newcastle Airport spokesman confirmed that it understood that Mr Parkin had been 'connected' with Bridgepoint for more than a year before his suspension. The source also claimed issues had arisen over bonuses Mr Parkin had been paid last year in the wake of the successful refinancing of the airport.
Last night, head of planning and corporate affairs, Graeme Mason said: 'Newcastle International Airport can confirm that High Court proceedings were entered into, but we cannot provide any further detail due to the ongoing legal proceedings.'
Mr Mason also spoke about Mr Parkin's relationship with Bridgepoint. He said: 'We understand that John Parkin is connected with that organisation, but we are not able to comment further in view of the ongoing investigation.'
The Newcastle Journal has made an application to obtain the details of the documents, arguing the matter was in the public interest, but a judge ruled that the matter would need a full hearing. When contacted by the newspaper, Mr Parkin refused to comment.
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