Vodafone 'life president' resigns amid rumours of rift

Former Vodafone chief executive Sir Christopher Gent today gave up his honorary position of life president of the group as the mobile phone giant sought to quash rumours of a boardroom rift.

At the same time Vodafone’s chairman Lord MacLaurin issued a statement publicly backing its chief executive Arun Sarin following media reports that he had tried to have the new boss ousted.