Green silent as he leaves Carlton

MICHAEL Green's swan song at Carlton was marked by tributes to his 20 years of service while the shares jumped as investors approved the merger with Granada.

Private shareholders sympathised with Green who was ousted as chairman designate of the new ITV. One called his departure 'an utter waste of talent'.

Another lambasted big City shareholders led by Fidelity for 'holding a gun to the heads' of Carlton's board.

Green, who founded Carlton, kept a dignified silence. His mother Irene Wilder said it was 'an emotional day'. She said she expects Green to move on to 'bigger and better things in the not too distant future'.

Some Carlton shareholders object to Granada dominating the new board. But Granada boss Charles Allen said the deal was 'good for all shareholders'.

At a separate meeting for Granada investors, Allen stressed repeatedly how 'passionate' he is about ITV, expressing 'great sadness' that Green is not staying.

Carlton rose 12 3/4p to 259p, Granada 6 1/4p to 136 1/4p. More than 99% of investors in each backed the merger.

Some 5% of Granada and 10% of Carlton shareholders voted against a new 'unapproved' executive option scheme.