The Co-op has made an 11th hour civil claim for damages and monies allegedly owed on two former CWS executives and former suppliers Andrew Regan and Ronald Zimet. The multi-million pound claim was filed just days before the five year statutory cut off for civil actions. The action follows the January 1995 renegotiation of a supply agreement with Hobson, a food manufacturing company bought from the Co-op by Monaco based businessman Regan. Co-op group secretary, Nick Eyre confirmed claims had been issued against former CWS executives Allan Green and David Chambers who, it is alleged, conspired with Andrew Regan, Ronald Zimet and Zimet's company Trellis International. The Co-op claims an agreement was made between the men that led Green and Chambers to breach their duties, as employees, by committing CWS to a new, but unfavourable supply agreement. It alleges Regan, Zimet and Trellis induced and or dishonestly assisted in these breaches. The Co-operative Group is also seeking compensation from Chambers who, it is alleged, induced a payment from CWS of £150,000 for unfair dismissal. It is understood to be seeking £5m in damages. The Co-op's action runs alongside a criminal prosecution from the Serious Fraud office, which alleges Zimet and Regan stole £2.4m from Hobson subsidiary FE Barber and paid Green and Chambers £1m each to breach their duties. {{NEWS }}

Topics