THOSE dissident Lyons' minstrels have struck again in the war of words with Uniliver. Growls of dissent from the rebel faction at tea and coffee distributor Lyons Irish Holdings turned into a roar this week when the board unleashed another verbal assault in the direction of majority shareholder Uniliver, this time over the future of the company's stock market listing.
Uniliver, which holds 75 per cent of Lyons, has declared its 323.3p offer to mop up the minority shares as final, terms rejected by the board as out of line with present market value. The fear is that if enough minority shareholders decide to capitulate Uniliver could be presented with the option to take Lyons off the stock market.
For independent shareholders it's either pick up the money now on the table or sit tight and continue the David and Goliath struggle.
Cane-waving - or even sable rattling - may not be enough; those liverish minstrels will need stronger ammunition to strike a telling blow against the monolith that is Uniliver.