Why Karren Brady's Birmingham reign could have a scandalous end - thanks to an ex-Hong Kong cop

By James Nursey

Published 09:42 29/10/09

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Karren Brady did a fine job as MD of Birmingham for 16 years but her leaving package is in danger of backfiring badly for City's outgoing directors.

MirrorFootball revealed the terms of her lucrative severance deal on October 2 after seeing the club's takeover recommendation document sent to BCFC shareholders.

The fact she expects to receive various payments totaling seven-figures is not a huge shock to me given her a senior executive position.

But it is the list of cheeky perks like use of a club car, mobile phone, health insurance and an executive box at St Andrews for 12 months after leaving which has really annoyed Carson Yeung's new regime.

And it has prompted Yeung's right-hand man Peter Pannu, a former Hong Kong cop and barrister, to delve into the club's finances in a bid to overturn Brady's package.

Pannu has been in the anti-fraud and organised crime squad in Hong Kong and is extremely street-wise.

So if there has been any improper behaviour at St Andrews, he is sure to find out.

I know the new board are unhappy to have inherited a £6million bill for various agents' fees and transfer instalments on top of paying £1 a share to buy the club in an £80m takeover.

And I think Brady's desire to leave St Andrews with a fat pay-off and a string of benefits could prove a huge mistake.

The perks were all detailed clearly in the leaving terms of her contract at City and were things she enjoyed in employment there.

They were granted by David Sullivan and the Gold brothers using their joint-majority shareholding.

But was it really necessary to tie herself to the club after leaving by insisting on keeping her box for a whole season after Sullivan and the Golds sold their shares?

I am also led to believe she will be due a further £260,000 bonus if City are still in the Premier League next season.

Such perceived greed has infuriated Yeung and his colleagues so much they have already cut off her club phone and stopped her from entering the premises unless invited.

They are also trying to block any future payments to the outgoing directors until they have completed a post-acquisition due diligence on the club's books dating from 2007 when Yeung bought his original shareholding.

And given Brady's role in England's 2018 World Cup bid, and the fact both Sulllivan and the Golds also hope to stay in football, they have a lot to lose should any scandal emerge.