Ousted Brumbies CEO remains at helm after court continues injunction against his removal

BRUMBIES chief executive Michael Jones will remain in charge of the club for a few days longer, at least, after a court continued an injunction against his removal.

Brumbies CEO, Michael Jones and his wife leave the Supreme Court in Canberra, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Mr Jones in fighting the Brumbies board to keep his job. (AAP Image/Andrew Taylor) NO ARCHIVING

BRUMBIES chief executive Michael Jones will remain in charge of the club for a few days longer, at least, after a court continued an injunction against his removal from the post.

Jones and the Brumbies returned to court on Tuesday in Canberra where the club applied for the temporary injunction imposed last week to be thrown out.

Jones was stood down by the Brumbies board after an incendiary interview on the ABC where the club boss suggested he could go to war with enemies in Canberra, who had been upset by his referral of past financial transactions at the club to the Australian Federal Police.

Such a war could see the club could go broke, Jones claimed.

The Brumbies stood Jones down but the CEO successfully sought a temporary injunction based on a claim of unfair dismissal and using whistle-blower legislation.

Jones has since attempted to rally support of the Canberra club rugby presidents and push for changes at board level but speculation of an extraordinary general meeting being hastily held on Tuesday did not eventuate.

The parties returned to the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday, where lawyers for the Brumbies argued for the original injunction to be lifted because it was based incorrectly on whistle-blower legislation.

The court was closed when Jones’ legal team delivered his affidavit, due to the sensitive nature of information to be presented.

Justice Refshauge reserved his judgement on the Brumbies’ application to lift the injunction. He is expected to rule “in a couple of days”.

Originally published as Ousted Brumbies CEO remains at helm after court continues injunction against his removal