Coop Ordered to Release £600,000 to Former Chief Executive Ahead of Appeal

The Channel Islands Coop has been instructed to pay £600,000 to its former chief executive while it continues to challenge a court ruling made against the organisation last year.

Colin MacLeod successfully sued the Coop after claiming he had been treated unfairly and suffered psychiatric harm during his departure from the company. The retailer has since lodged an appeal against the judgement.

MacLeod, who led the Coop for a decade, previously described the dispute as a “long and excruciating” ordeal.

In a recent court application, MacLeod requested early access to part of his compensation award to cover legal costs exceeding £200,000 and to repay a £300,000 loan provided by his parents.

The court agreed to release £600,000, concluding that sufficient safeguards were in place should the Coop later succeed in its appeal. Judges noted that MacLeod had offered his property as security against the payment.

In its ruling, the court said the arrangement represented “an appropriate balancing exercise”, adding that it was reasonable to ensure MacLeod had “access to funds” during what could become a lengthy appeals process.

The judgement also stated that the property equity being offered by MacLeod would provide the Coop with “more than adequate protection” to recover the money if the original ruling is overturned.

In a statement, the Channel Islands Coop said it accepted the court’s latest decision while maintaining its challenge to the original judgement.

“We have lodged an appeal to the original judgement and those proceedings remain ongoing,” the company said.

“As the matter is still before the courts, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the case at this stage.”