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Former CEO of car breakdown giant AA faces extraordinary criticism from a judge for providing unreliable evidence in the Supreme Court
Struggle: Simon Breakwell led the AA
The former CEO of car breakdown giant AA has been severely criticized by a judge for providing unreliable evidence in the Supreme Court.
In a scathing summary last week, Simon Breakwell was accused of being inconsistent. The judge complained that he was unable to “give real weight to his claims.”
The comments were made at the end of a bitter legal feud between AA and the company’s former advisers, Fenchurch Advisory Partners.
In his ruling, Deputy Supreme Court Justice Sean O’Sullivan said, “With perhaps one exception, I formed the opinion that all of these factual witnesses did their best to assist the court and were reasonably honest and forthright about their memory of the events.
“The only exception to the general rule was Mr. Breakwell, who claimed to remember what was said and intended in meetings that took place nearly three years ago.” But the judge said Breakwell’s testimony “didn’t always match the contemporary documents,” adding that he “convinced himself of a certain story and was determined to stick to that story.”
Breakwell said he remembered “perfectly” what was said at meetings three years ago, but was unable to explain simple details at the time.
He took over the reins of AA in 2017 when he replaced Bob Mackenzie, who was sacked for falling out with a fellow manager.
Breakwell, who co-founded travel website Expedia and led Uber’s taxi expansion into Europe, has since joined City fund manager Fairview Equity Partners.
AA declined to comment, except that Breakwell was no longer on the board.
Breakwell was also contacted for comment through his new firm.
The case involved a lawsuit brought by Fenchurch, who collaborated with the AA during the botched sale of its insurance division, also known as “Project Zodiac.” AA later fell out with the adviser over more than £350,000 in unpaid fees related to the botched transaction. Breakwell served as CEO during the negotiations. The AA, which was purchased by private equity in 2020, was instructed to pay Fenchurch the full amount owed.