Duffield hits back at bullying claims in New Star job case

John Duffield, the former head of New Star Asset Management whose reputation was dragged through the mud in an employment tribunal last month, hit back strongly today at allegations he had bullied employees.

The veteran fund manager, Patrick Evershed, brought a case of unfair dismissal against New Star's new owners, Henderson Global Investors, last month, claiming he had been suspended shortly after writing to the company's head of resources to complain about Duffield's domineering behaviour.

The case was settled out of court on 7 December without an admission of liability. Duffield re-opened the war of words today to correct "the one-sided view in the public mind" of his conduct while in charge of New Star.

In his first public statement since the case was settled, Duffield vehemently denied he had bullied employees and rejected claims his behaviour contributed to the demise of New Star, which was taken over by its banks and sold to the rival fund manager in 2009.

"I deliberately created an environment in which they [New Star employees] had freedom to invest where they wished subject to compliance and regulation," he said. Duffield also rejected the claim he pressured Evershed into enlarging the fund he was managing.