Evershed dealt blow as ex-colleagues deny Duffield was a bully

Partick Evershed's claims he and other staff members were bullied by New Star Asset Management founder John Duffield have been dismissed by three of his ex-colleagues.

In the last week of the trial, the tribunal is hearing witnesses representing New Star, who are fighting Evershed's claim for £1m in damages for unfair dismissal.

New Star has so far called on Gregor Logan, former joint chief investment officer at New Star; Roger Dossett, who ran the group's property fund; and chief executive Howard Covington to give evidence.

All three of Evershed's former colleagues stated Duffield was not a bully and disputed a number of Evershed's recollections of incidents he says back up his claims he was mistreated by his former boss.

Logan denied there was a "poisonous atmosphere" under Duffield's stewardship, adding he did not witness any bullying on the trading floor. "I do not accept Duffield had an aggressive manner. When he called someone a 'moron' it was meant as a joke, and was taken as a joke by the staff," Logan said.

"I never saw Duffield being angry, antagonistic or unpleasant towards Evershed or treating him in a dismissive manner or demeaning him. I sat very close to Evershed and I never saw Duffield ask him or any other fund manager if they were 'ashamed of themselves' if their fund was not performing well."

Dossett dismissed Evershed's allegations he was also bullied by Duffield, stating he enjoyed a good working relationship with the New Star founder.

Evershed (pictured) claimed in his witness statement that Duffield had pushed Dossett into purchasing unsuitable property for his fund, which Dossett strongly denied. "I was never bullied into buying overpriced properties and it was in fact impossible for me to pay over the odds as I was prevented from buying property in a value in excess of 5% over the independent valuation," said Dossett.

"From my experience, Duffield is a forthright man and he can be blunt, but I never found him to be unreasonable or a bully. He certainly did not bully me or any members of my property team otherwise I would have instantly handed in my notice."

Covington added Evershed never made any complaints about being bullied until the day he was suspended from the firm. He said the day Evershed left he vowed to sue New Star and threatened to talk to the press about Duffield but was warned off after Duffield threatened to sue for defamation.

"I disagree with the bullying accusations as I never saw Duffield act in a bullying or antagonistic way towards Evershed or any other member of staff. Duffield sometimes acted in a friendly, chiding manner and was often joking with staff.

"In my role as chief executive I regularly spoke with fund managers about their role and Evershed had every opportunity to complain about Duffield's behaviour and conduct but did not, until he was suspended from the firm.

Evershed has previously claimed Duffield humiliated New Star staff, withdrawing offers of sweets from managers having a period of poor performance.

Evershed said in his statement that in a career spanning 40 years, he had never experienced such a "poisonous working environment", adding Duffield's actions led directly to the demise of the firm.

New Star is expected to call former employees Mark Skinner and John Jay to the tribunal later this week. The case continues.