Venables 'severs links' with firms

SOLICITORS acting for England football coach Terry Venables are expected to issue a second libel writ against the BBC after last week's 'Panorama' documentary.

Nick Trainer, partner in two-man City practice John Bowden Trainer & Co, says a second libel writ is likely to be issued this week following the programme's allegations that Venables unlawfully raised money to buy into Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Trainer has been acting for Venables since he was sacked as chief executive of Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

"He is now in the process of severing his links with other firms," Trainer says.

A first writ was issued by Venables a year ago against the original 'Panorama' investigation into his business affairs.

At the same time he is understood to have settled in full an outstanding claim for unpaid legal fees by West End law firm Finers.

Venables was himself the subject of a High Court writ earlier this year when London-based Stephens Innocent sued him for over u5,000 in unpaid fees relating to work undertaken after the first 'Panorama' documentary.

West End firm Fuglers, which acted for Venables before his dismissal as Tottenham chief executive is now the subject of a professional negligence action by Venables.

It is understood that Michael Salber at The Grangewoods Partnership is no longer acting for Venables in his wrongful dismissal action, but is acting for him in other minor matters.

A further worry for Venables is the referral of matters relating to his company Edennote to the Serious Fraud Office. An SFO spokeswoman says a decision is expected soon on whether to launch a formal inquiry.