British Pharmaceutical researcher British Biotech yesterday announced it had sacked its head of research after he reportedly warned investors of his concerns about the company. The announcement followed an independent internal investigation which found Dr Andrew Millar had "discussed confidential information relating to the company with third parties". Newspaper reports said Dr Millar warned British Biotech investor Perpetual that he had doubts over the company's prospects. His concerns were reported to surround the company's management and the conduct of its clinical trials.

But the Oxford company said: "Based on the board's own review, together with the findings of the investigation, the board is satisfied that these matters either had no substance or reflected purely personal opinions held by Dr Millar. Accordingly it does not consider there to have been any justification for Dr Millar's actions."