THE boardroom turmoil at Harvester owner, Mitchells & Butlers, intensified yesterday when its interim boss became the latest leader to call time on the troubled company.

BRITISH pub group Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) – in which Irish financiers John Magnier and JP McManus have a sizable shareholding through their Elpida investment vehicle – has reported a 2% year-on-year increase in sales for the 12 months to the middle of September.

The FTSE 100 Index roared to its highest close since last October today as strong banking results and a renewed surge from mining stocks cheered investors.

The FTSE 100 Index set a new high for the year today after bumper profits fuelled hopes the worst may be over for the beleaguered banking sector.