Legal battle 'excruciating' says former Coop boss

A former Channel Islands Cooperative boss has described his legal battle with the company as "long and excruciating".

Colin Macleod claimed he had been "bullied and undermined" by senior directors in a campaign to force him out as chief executive and said the experience had left him with a psychiatric injury.

A court has awarded him £40,000 in general damages plus loss of earnings after it ruled that the Coop had breached its duty of care and that the harm was foreseeable. Mr Macleod said he had his "whole career taken" from him.

Coop said it would challenge the decision, adding: "Whilst we acknowledge the judgement, with respect, we do not agree with the findings."

Macleod said: "It's been long, excruciating at times, having to stay quiet when I wanted to scream... and its been attritional. Litigation is fought hard, and it takes its toll. It's been lonely but we're nearing the end now."

In its judgment, the court ruled three directors - Paula Williams, Jennifer Carnegie and Carol Champion - had acted in bad faith from February 2019 until Mr Macleod's dismissal in 2020.

Mr Macleod, who was chief executive of the Coop for 10 years, said he had been "repeatedly set up to fail" and that board meetings were "hostile" - claims the Coop denied.

The court was told that medical experts diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder linked to workplace bullying.

"I felt the pressure growing and growing, and though I didn't foresee the precise moment my health would give way totally, that's what happened... my mind starting whirring and I effectively closed down," he said.

Mr Macleod described his dismissal from the Coop as "surreal", and said that his experience felt like a "psychological strangulation".

"I'm ok now, I've been working my way back through this legal journey, but it's been a fascinating and horrible ordeal," he added.

The Coop said: "The society has liaised closely with its insurers and legal advisers, and it is considered that there are substantial grounds for appeal and the judgment will be challenged."

In response, Mr Macleod said: "If the society genuinely believes that it is in the best interest of members to appeal, then I respect that decision.

"I've had my whole career taken from me, for no reason. The truth is what I was fighting for, and that's a huge reward."

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