Northern Foods has reportedly suspended the managing director of its Holland’s Pies unit amid claims he tried to engineer a sale of the business without the consent of the UK food group.

According to a report in the Lancashire Telegraph, Holland’s Pies MD Neil Court-Johnston has been “taken out of the business” by Northern’s management while they investigate the claims.

Court-Johnston is at the centre of allegations that he has held talks with potential investors over a possible buy-out of Holland’s Pies.

However, the newspaper reported that Court-Johnston believed he had been given the green light to seek a sale.

Nevertheless, he was suspended by Northern’s bosses late last month after being told the group wanted to keep the business, the report said on Friday (4 June).

Officials at Northern could not be reached for immediate comment.

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