Barry calls counsel suggestion insulting

Mr Oliver Barry, co-founder of Century Radio, yesterday rejected a suggestion that a reason he gave for claiming £40,000 from…

Mr Oliver Barry, co-founder of Century Radio, yesterday rejected a suggestion that a reason he gave for claiming £40,000 from the company in 1990 was "an absolute concoction".

Mr Barry said he had been humiliated and insulted by the suggestion. He accused a tribunal lawyer of intimidating him and complained he was being bullied.

For the third day, the tribunal's questions centred on Century's accounts at the time leading up to and after Capital Radio's investment in the company and the £40,000 claimed by Mr Barry. He had said the £40,000 was paid from his own account and was used to pay wages in Century for 25 weeks at £1,600 a week.

Mr Pat Hanratty SC, for the tribunal, had said Mr Barry claimed the sum after the deal with Century was finalised and had not told anybody of the debt.

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Yesterday Mr Hanratty said there was no documentation for what Mr Barry had claimed was £40,000 owed to his own company, Quality Artistes Management, for services rendered to Century.

Mr Hanratty then put it to Mr Barry: "This claim of £1,600 a week for 25 weeks was an absolute and utter concoction that has no basis in fact or in reality now or ever."

Mr Barry replied: "I reject that out of hand and I am humiliated and insulted by it. It is typical of Mr Hanratty's intimidating attitude and somebody who is bullying me here."

He said he was answering the questions to the best of his ability. He told the tribunal that Mr James Stafford, his co-director in Century, and he had a gentleman's agreement that he would be reimbursed. The fact that he was working in Century with his staff was public knowledge.

The tribunal was adjourned until Tuesday.