Early getaway for MyTravel's UK chief

THE head of troubled tour operator MyTravel's UK and Ireland business has quit the board after less than two years in the £380,000-a-year job.

The announcement of Duncan Wilson's departure, less than a week before the group posts full-year results, triggered concerns about the state of the company's British operations.

However, it is thought the company actually intended to separate news of his departure from the release of the figures next Thursday - to distance him from blame.

Wilson will not receive a pay-off as he will continue to work for MyTravel for an unspecified period while handing over responsibility for the turnaround of the core British operations to Philip Jansen, chief operating officer.

MyTravel had worried the market, with its shares and warrants drifting downwards, by refusing until today to name the day for its full-year results announcement.

Today, the shares fell 1/2p to 10 3/4p.