A High Court judge rules on the circumstances of the removal of Peter Waddell, a multimillionaire who served as chief executive of Big Motoring World, a UK used-car dealership backed by private equity. Waddell was forced out in 2024. In court, he argued his departure was part of a “planned coup” orchestrated against him. The Guardian reports the judge describes an “orchestrated plan” by investors who had backed the business, and says the dispute led to open hostility within the company and “unfair prejudice” to the investment company that held Waddell’s majority stake. The Guardian also reports the judge finds Waddell is properly dismissed and that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct, rather than an improper or unfair dismissal. Daily Mail coverage similarly states Waddell was sacked in 2024 as CEO and that his unfair dismissal bid is thrown out. Across reports, the case centers on the process of Waddell’s removal, the role of investors, and whether the company’s actions and the reasons given for dismissal were lawful.