Ex New Star bond chief Zemek "also bullied" by Duffield

Former New Star CIO Theo Zemek claimed she was bullied by firm founder John Duffield, echoing allegations made by her ex-colleague Patrick Evershed, according to the lawyer acting for Evershed.

Zemek, now working at Axa Investment Managers where she is global head of fixed income, worked at New Star prior to its takeover by Henderson. She left in 2007.

According to Daphne Romney, Evershed's lawyer, Zemek has given "a compelling account of how she herself was bullied by Duffield". While Zemek has given a witness statement she may not be allowed to take part in the case after missing the deadline for submitting it.

The tribunal chairman will decide shortly whether she will be able to participate as her evidence was only submitted to the court on 2 November.

The lawyer acting for New Star has argued against Zemek's statement being included because she did not herself see Evershed being bullied.

The lawyer, Daniel Oudkerk, said Zemek's statement read: "I personally did not witness Patrick being bullied."

Oudkerk added the statement had "cropped up three days before a trial that has been in the pipeline for years," after questioning why it was being submitted so late.

Evershed, who is seeking lost earnings of over £1m, claims he was the victim of constructive dismissal while at New Star following bullying by the boss of his previous employer, Duffield.

In a letter to the group's human resources team before he left, he wrote Duffield "has been most vile to most of the fund managers for several years and bullying us".

"In particular he bullied me into reopening my fund [Select Opportunities]. This destroyed the performance of the fund and my reputation."

Duffield, the founder of New Star, will not be appearing in court during the case brought against his former company by Patrick Evershed.

Investment Week understands Duffield will not be called as a witness by the defence, and has not issued a witness statement.

Last year Evershed was given the green light to pursue Henderson - New Star's new owners - for unfair dismissal.

New Star was bought by Henderson in 2009, and its new owners are now defending the claims.

The group would have been made aware of any outstanding legal disputes prior to purchasing New Star. Evershed accused Duffield of bullying fund managers before leaving New Star.

Duffield now runs investment firm Brompton Asset Management.

The case, scheduled to last for ten days, continues.