Former Avocet executive on chairman's "catastrophes"

 by DOUG COLLIE

The former agricultural operations manager of the Avocet group of businesses who claims he is owed six months wages has launched a scathing attack on the company's chairman Martin Frost after learning he faces legal action together with several other parties.

Sandy Jeffrey, a Borders livestock and land agent, was named in an email circulated by Mr Frost yesterday in which threats of court action and writs for damages and compensation were promised by lawyers representing Gennfros Ltd., a firm dubbed "son of Avocet" and "Avocet Mark Two".

Mr Frost vowed: "The following documents shall be published: Detailed legal claims against Mr. Sandy Jeffrey on how Mr. Jeffrey appears to have converted over £400,000 of Avocet cattle to his personal advantage."

It was a repeat of allegations made by Mr Frost against Mr Jeffrey earlier this year in letters sent to hundreds of Avocet investors. Mr Jeffrey who left Avocet's employment in 2017 is a creditor of the group and claims he is due more than £28,000. Shares in Avocet given to him after he joined the firm have also disappeared, he maintains.

With Mr Frost and his fellow directors failing to produce any return for shareholders over six years - Avocet and its subsidiaries has so far failed to market its 'revolutionary fuel additive - there has been widespread criticism of the operation.

In previous correspondence with Avocet's shareholders Mr Frost has taken the opportunity to deny allegations he has embezzled £14 million, that he is running a ponzi investment scheme, and that he is perpetrating VAT fraud. He warned of strong action against the perpetrators of such allegations.

Reacting to the latest threat from Mr Frost, Mr Jeffrey told us: "Martin Frost revels in bullying and intimidation. His latest newsletter resumes a theme, deflecting attention from his own business catastrophes and shortcomings.

"A captive audience of 650+ shareholders, many who recently ditched their interest in Frost and his flawed scheme, reflected by failure to support his and Bob Jennings' Gennfros "take two" fiasco, are continually fed a fodder of nonsensical accusations against those who have dared to question Frost's methods. It is apparent the majority of original shareholders have no interest in personal vendettas nor believe further investment in Frost is beneficial. Approximately 400 have decided to cut their losses and jump ship!"

Mr Jeffrey explained: that the Avocet company he worked for was now in liquidation. Their accountants held detailed records of all related business transactions, audited by them, which "balance to the penny". It was inconceivable they were party to recent allegations.

He said: "I pose a question: Apart from Frost, who advocates detailed legal claims against my company, Neal Thompson, James Christie, W. Cleghorn, the Orr Family and damages claims against W Chisholm and FDF?"

Then, in a direct challenge to Mr Frost he declared: "I can only speak for myself and convey this message to Martin Frost:  Provide your evidence and prepare to initiate your own, long overdue, downfall. 

"Too many written statements advising shareholders of projects subsequently destined for the scrapheap amount to much more than mere incompetence. You alone are responsible for breaches of statutory regulations. Other criminal activity I shall put to one side as that too will be dealt with in due course. My lawyers are poised from a defensive perspective."