Leyland executive charged

Press, 25 May 1977, Page 8

Leyland executive charged

NZPA London Mr Graham Barton, the British Leyland executive named in the “slush fund” allegations in the “Daily Mail” last week, has appeared at a Bow Street court charged with forgery. His Turkish-born wife, Fatima, also appeared at the same court.

Mr Barton, who is 34, and his 32-year-old wife, of Hounslow, West London, are charged under the section of ithe Forgery Act which is ■ headed: “forgery of any document if committed with intent to defraud.” Looking pale and drawn, the couple were ordered to be held in custody until another court appearance next Tuesday.

; Lord Ryder, chairman of Ithe National Enterprise Board, is to sue the “Daily I Mail” for defamation after their publication of a letter I purporting to have been written by him to the Leyland chief executive .(Mr Alex IPark). The N.E.B. yesterday said that proceedings would be started against the “Mail’s” editor (Mr David English) and the proprietors of Associated Newspapers, Ltd. “Among other remedies, Lord Ryder will be claiming substantial damages. But any sum awarded would be donated to charities,” said the N.E.B. statement. Mr Vere Harms./orth. chairman of Associated Newspapers, issued the following statement yesterday: “Immediately upon finding that the letter was not written by Lord Ryder, Mr David English offered his resignation. I refused to accept it.”

Mi- Harmsworth’s statement continued: “I have every confidence in his ability, confirmed by his six years of brilliant editorship of the ‘Daily Mail’.”