Howls for resignation

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 9

Howls for resignation

NZPA-Reuter London i Mr Graham Barton, the: British Leyland executive who has confessed to faking! the Lord Ryder “slush fund” letter published in the “Daily Mail,” was still at Cannon Row police station yesterday helping police inquiries into allegations that irregular payments were; made to secure business. f His Turkish-born wife, i Fatima, was also at Cannon Row, Mr Barton has been! helping the police since Fri-| day. The Prime Minister (Mr| Callaghan) was thought to have discussed the Leyland affair with the Industry Secretary (Mr Eric Varley) on Sunday, and Mr Callaghan is i known to have insisted that an inquiry ordered by Lord' Ryder, chairman of the Nat- ' ional Enterprise Board, should not be delayed. The investigations con-: tinue against a background! of growing demands for the! resignations of Mr Barton :and Mr David English, edi-i 'tor of the “Daily Mail.” Mr Barton is expected to be asked to resign as soon: as the police inquiries have; ended, and the “Daily Mail” has been accused of allowing; ' violent antagonism towards! ithe Labour Government to cloud its judgmentMembers of Parliament! and Leyland executives fear! that the “Ryder letter” could cost millions of pounds ini lost business and even jobs. | The payment of “commis-. sion” to win overseas orders; is regarded as unavoidable, by some British companies, and there are fears that; buyers abroad might avoid doing business with Leyland. I