M&B issues apology to former directors

PUBS group Mitchells & Butlers made a public apology yesterday to former bosses ousted by the firm's previous board in a row over conflict of interest.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange, M&B thanked the directors and said it had made payments to former Irish politician Ray MacSharry, as well as Denis Jackson, Richard McGuire and Douglas McMahon, who left the firm's board last year.

M&B said: "We regret the manner in which their appointments came to an end and we wish them well."