LONDON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Kazakh miner ENRC ispressing ahead with its battle against a former board memberwhom it accuses of orchestrating damaging leaks, handing aLondon court what it says are transcripts of conversationsdetailing sensitive information.
ENRC is set to delist from the London stock market in thecoming weeks, once a takeover by its founders and the Kazakhgovernment completes. That will end a London adventure soured byboardroom battles and corruption claims that have triggereddebate over London's rules on listings and corporate governance.
But, even with the endgame in sight, ENRC's management hasshowed little sign it is slowing down its pursuit of those itaccuses of orchestrating media leaks the group blames for atleast some of its troubles.
Throughout its six years as a listed company, ENRC was oftenthe subject of rumour, speculation and unsourced reports. Butthe company has focused its wrath on Paul Judge, a senior figurein the City of London who was non-executive director from 2007until earlier this year. Judge refutes the allegations.
A sheriff of the City of London - a position that is apre-requisite for would-be mayors - Judge is for some in theKazakh group the symbol of London's promises gone sour. For theminer's detractors, Judge, former Cadbury Schweppes executiveand a well-known figure in the City, is simply a usefulscapegoat.
ENRC filed a legal claim against Judge in July, claimingdamages for "breach of fiduciary duty". He counter-sued forlibel, accusing the company of making defamatory statements.
In court documents filed late last week, though, ENRCdetailed transcripts of what it said were conversations betweenJudge and an unnamed journalist, including information on aninvestigation into ENRC by Britain's Serious Fraud Office.
A formal SFO probe was confirmed publicly by ENRC in April.
According to the documents, Judge provided details on theSFO, on a potential raid on ENRC's offices, allegations ofcorruption at a Kazakh unit and alleged difficulties encounteredby lawyers investigating whistleblower claims of corruption.
Lawyers Berwin Leighton Paisner, acting for Judge, said he"refutes the new allegations completely and will address them inhis reply to ENRC's defence to counterclaim".
