Posted: 09th Aug, 2007 By: MarkJ
PlusNet's former boss, Lee Strafford, has launched a scathing personal attack upon its new owners and management. Strafford was sacked earlier in the year following allegations that he had been plotting to launch a rival business following BT's £67m acquisition of the ISP:
Strafford denied the allegation at the time and reasserts his innocence in his email, saying: "I have been hurt but not surprised by hearing about the way my reputation has been attacked since my departure." He writes that the principles the firm stood for have been "shat on" and that he has been "stitched up" by other executives.
A sellout to BT had long been the strategy, Strafford writes, and he had expected to leave PlusNet following the deal, but under happier circumstances.
"I did not foresee that the senior management team would once again forsake doing things the right way for their individual weakness, ego, greed and personal ambition - more fool me eh. Lets see if they are happy to tell their lies not just in dislosures but in a tribunal hearing and ultimalty in a high court."
It's claimed that any staff known to have associated with Strafford were also threatened with dismissal. Naturally PlusNet, which is now headed by Neil Laycock, has refused to comment on the matter.
Lately PlusNet has been working, somewhat successfully, to rebuild its image following a spate of problems during 2006 and into early 2007. No doubt this latest outburst by the ousted ex-CEO will hinder that recovery, if only marginally so.
The Register has re-printed the letter in full
HERE.