Ex-Sothebys chief faces fee-fixing trial

The former boss of Sotheby’s was due to go on trial today accused of masterminding an international conspiracy with his counterpart at rivals Christie’s to rig commissions.

Alfred Taubman, who remains the controlling shareholder of Sotheby’s, is alleged to have schemed with Anthony Tennant, ex-chairman of Christie’s, to fix commission fees charged to customers of the world’s largest auction houses.