ITV Digital administrators accused of 'conflict of interest'

The Nationwide League have made a request to have a second administrator appointed for ITV Digital, citing present administrator Deloitte & Touche as unworthy due to a 'conflict of interest'.
The move further strains the negotiations with the ITV Digital administrators to find a resolution to the wrangle of the fate of football broadcasting rights.
In a letter to the administrators, the Nationwide League insisted the move was essential because Deloitte & Touche acted as auditor and adviser to a number of football clubs that will be directly affected if ITV Digital fails to pay up the money it owes for the right to broadcast lower league matches.
Deloitte & Touche were brought in as administrators to ITV Digital last week after co-owners Carlton and Granada pulled the plug on the loss-making venture. The company, which closed with over £800 million losses, is currently being run as an 'ongoing concern' and it is hoped that the broadcaster can emerge from administration.
A spokesperson from Deloitte & Touche said: "We are confident there is no conflict. We wouldn't have taken on the work if there was a problem."
Deloitte & Touche will appear back at the High Court in London on April 15 to deliver an interim report of their progress.
The mood among league chiefs has mollified of late, with chief executive David Burns saying that he expected a "positive outcome" and a "reasonable settlement" could be arrived at.
ITV Digital, www.itv-digital.co.uk
(GMcG)