I'm no lapdog, Templeman barks

PUBS boss Miles Templeman insists he won't be a Labour 'lapdog' when he becomes director general of the Institute of Directors in October.

That said, he doesn't plan to shout from the rooftops - preferring the behind-the-scenes approach taken by the current IoD chief George Cox, who has come under fire for being too cosy with the government.

Templeman says: 'I've never been a lapdog and I don't intend to be one now,' but adds: 'Working with people can be better than confrontation.'

He refuses to comment on the bust-up between Cox and former IoD policy chief Ruth Lea, who says she was forced out because her strong views did not sit well with Downing Street.

Former Whitbread beer chief Templeman is executive chairman of pub company Eldridge Pope and director of Ben Sherman and YO! Sushi.