The ConsumerDeals Equity discussion forum was today voluntarily suspended was suspended, following threats of legal action made against us by Peter Butler, the former Managing Director of Equity Asset Management, a property management company based in Southend-on-Sea.
The initial complaint and threat of legal action was directed at the poster of a thread entitled “Peter Butler canned over Basildon”. The message was removed, and the following statement was received from Peter Butler, and published at his request: “Mr Butler has asked us to confirm that he has resigned as MD of Equity Asset Management in accordance with his contract and in circumstances totally unconnected to any matters related to Basildon or indeed any other matter which could be construed as detrimental to his status”.
It is our understanding that “Basildon”, referred to in Mr Butler’s statement relates to the fraud probe regarding the management of 35 blocks of flats on the Chestnut Road Estate, over which Equity Asset Management claim responsibility for upkeep. This story was highlighted in the Basildon Evening Echo on the 11th of June 2004
We are in negotiation with Mr Butler to resolve this matter, and hope to be able to reopen the forum shortly.
