The Board's STANCE & Announcement in the vein seen seems a bit questionable - could be worth getting a good lawyer to cast an eye over it .. IMO ;)
If there was a doubt over independence - then surely the onus is on NTL to ask the pertinent questions before going into a Media Announcement identifying the party & publically NOT RECOMMENDING that individual ?
If found to be questionable, then members of the Board & others associated with the release may or may not find themselves in further hot water over their conduct and public released statements ? ;)
In any event if the other party is a large stakeholder then the Company's conduct in the matter certainly looks to STINK to the HIGH HEAVENS .. ;)
HOW is RABONE Not independent & yet the person with a larger stake seeming an Independent or maybe not, or maybe NTL couldn't be bothered asking the questions .. ? ;)