Embattled Lyttelton Port chairman alleges violent threats

By NZPA

Wednesday 16th October 2002

The chairman of Lyttelton Port Company, Brent Layton, says he and some senior managers have been subject to threats of violence.

Dr Layton said the threats were made as the port struggled in vain to come to an agreement with port workers over a round-the-clock contract that would help it retain important shipping contracts.

Following the loss of two such contracts, the port company 65.5 per cent stakeholder, Christchurch City Holdings Ltd (CCHL), has called on Mr Layton to resign.

But in a statement to the Stock Exchange this morning, Mr Layton said the call had no commercial basis.

"My demise will be a victory for union pressure, and signals the willingness of Christchurch city interests to sacrifice port efficiency and shareholder value at the behest of the unions."

Dr Layton was unable to be contacted this morning, but said in his statement that a couple of month ago "threats of personal violence were made against me and some members of senior management of such a nature that security personnel have been engaged to protect us".

"We did not shrink from our commitment to get the changes needed. This time the attack has been through Christchurch City's shareholding."

However, CCHL -- the trading arm of the Christchurch City Council -- said that if the port company was to move forward, Dr Layton had to go.

"We feel it is important that there is change," said CCHL chairwoman Paddy Austin.

"The company has to make better progress than it has to date - and without necessarily criticising the performance of the chairman, accountability tends to stop at the top."

The port company faces a precarious future after recently losing about 20 per cent of its container trade when the P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk Sealand lines took their business to Port Chalmers and Timaru.

However, Dr Layton defended his performance, noting the port had just ended a year in which record volumes were achieved in all trades and a record $16.3 million profit had been made.

He said that as of last night, he retained the board's majority support for his position as director and chairman.

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