INM chief used whistleblowing legislation

Independent News & Media (INM) chief Robert Pitt used whistleblowing legislation to complain around the time a dispute raged inside the media firm over the potential acquisition of Newstalk, it has emerged.

Yesterday, INM said that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement — the ODCE — had asked it for documents involving plans it had to acquire Newstalk.

A controversy arose last year involving a disagreement between Mr Pitt, who is INM’s chief executive, and chairman Leslie Buckley about the value of a potential acquisition of Newstalk.