David Murray claimed in court today that he wasn’t aware that former Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain had a 39 month notice period!
Bain, a former male model, rose through the ranks at Ibrox under the wing of Murray with his appointment as Chief Executive effectively ending the role of former secretary Campbell Ogilvie.
Murray and Bain worked hand in hand on a series of stunning scoops that kept Rangers (IL) competing with Celtic for honours and more importantly the annual Champions League windfall which kept the wolf from the door.
This morning at the Craig Whyte fraud trial Murray admitted that he had no idea of the notice period of the Chief Executive that he had appointed.
Witness shown copy of a submission he gave during a legal case states: “I was not aware Martin Bain’s notice period was 39 months”
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Findlay: “The chairman extended the CEO’s notice period to 39 months and didn’t even tell you”?
1/2— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Murray “The facts you have given this morning don’t make good reading
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Findlay “You were let down by people who didn’t have a clue”?
Murray: The facts are there for others to judge”— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
The extent of the bad blood between Murray and Dave King was laid bare as the South African based criminal questioned the sale of the club to Whyte.
King note says Murray was “manipulating the bank debt”
“Absolute rubbish” the witness replies.”No truth in that at all”— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
King note says Murray “isolated me” Murray says King was in next door office “he chose to walk out the door without meeting me”
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
King says the Whyte takeover had “No transparency to the Rangers board”
Murray replies he wasn’t on the board at the time— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Murray “Everything was open and honest as we’ll find out as we go through this process”#WhyteTrial
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Findlay asks Murray if King note was just “blatant lies”
“It’s all in the paperwork” witness replies— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
In May 2011 Murray sold his controlling stake in Rangers to Whyte for £1.
The former billionaire has been accused of breaking a number of promises but this morning the trial heard otherwise.
Witness shown “Share Purchase Agreement” between Murray and Whyte, says purchaser will “attempt” to invest £20m
Finday “not a commitment”— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Murray says he took this as an obligation#WhyteTrial
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) April 28, 2017
Despite not knowing the notice period on Bain’s contract Murray had background details of the footballing allegiances and school background of every sports journalist in Scotland.