Court battle: Barclays win property dispute

By CATHY GORDON
Published on 11/08/2012 00:00

A PROPERTY developer yesterday lost a High Court battle in London with two of the UK’s best-known businessmen.

Patrick McKillen, who comes from Belfast but is based in Dublin, was fighting Sir David Barclay and his twin Sir Frederick, pictured, over control of a £1 billion company which owns three of London’s most famous hotels. A judge ruled against McKillen, following a trial spanning more than two months. All three men were investors in Coroin – which owns and manages the Berkeley, Claridge’s and Connaught hotels.

McKillen claimed that “company affairs” were conducted in a “manner unfairly prejudicial to his interests”. The Barclays disputed his claims and said his allegations were designed to “tarnish” their reputations.

In a written ruling, the judge announced that two sets of proceedings brought by McKillen “fail and will be dismissed”.