Video interview: No respect - Ex-Leeds director Melvyn Levi on ‘difficult’ Ken Bates

FORMER Leeds United director Melvyn Levi today described club owner Ken Bates as “difficult”, following a protracted legal battle in which he sued Mr Bates for harassment.

Speaking after the judgment, Mr Levi said his business rival “doesn’t have much respect for anybody, including my barristers”.

Mr Levi and his wife Carole claimed they suffered stress as a result of announcements on the club radio station allegedly likening Mr Levi to a criminal on the run. The two men had fallen out following Mr Bates’s takeover of the club in 2005.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Levi was awarded £10,000 in compensation at Leeds County Court but his wife’s claim failed.

Mr Levi said he estimated that Mr Bates, Leeds United or both had spent close to £4 million fighting legal battles against him.

He said: “I’m just pleased to say that my wife and myself are happy that the matter has come to a conclusion in our favour.

“I have been totally vindicated as always - this is the second time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If Mr Bates would kindly look after Leeds United, not keep attacking me or anybody else for that matter who has nothing to do with the club.

“I have been fighting him for six and a half years now and it’s long enough. I believe, and I’ve been through it with my lawyers, that Mr Bates or Leeds United or anybody else together have spent coming up to £4 million in trying to fight two old age pensioners and that’s what we are.

“I think it’s absolutely disgraceful. If Mr Bates would be very kind to leave me and my wife alone we would be very pleased.”

Speaking about the costs the defendants have been ordered to pay, Mr Levi said: “It’ll come no doubt out of Leeds United and the consequences of that is that players won’t be bought probably.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I do know if Mr Bates didn’t bother with these actions there would be more money to go into buying players at the club and not have this ridiculous situation where I’m in court every two years with a row with Mr Bates.”