Final complaint among many awaits committee decision

By ELLEN READ

The Montana standing committee will decide by the end of next week whether to proceed with the last in a long line of complaints made during the battle for Montana Group.

The losing bidder, Australasian brewing giant Lion Nathan, complained in June that British drinks company Allied Domecq breached Stock Exchange rules when it bought a 19.95 per cent stake in Montana from its chairman Peter Masfen. Lion alleged a prior association between Allied and Mr Masfen breached the exchange's disclosure rules and gave Allied an edge in buying Mr Masfen's stake.

The Stock Exchange standing committee met last weekend to consider an application from Montana that the issue was no longer relevant given the takeover battle was complete.