International News - Ex-Ahold chief complains at 'untrue' reports

Former Ahold chief executive Cees van der Hoeven has hit back at Dutch financial regulators and the press for the first time since he resigned last month.

A letter from his lawyer Micha Wladimiroff complained that Dutch regulator Sobi had made allegations against van der Hoeven that were 'absolutely untrue, careless and unnecessarily hurtful'.

The lawyer fired a warning shot at the media, suggesting they should have 'more respect' towards van der Hoeven.

Last month, van der Hoeven left the retailer along with finance chief Michael Meurs after Ahold reported that it had overstated income by US$500 million (£320 million). Interim chief finance officer Dudley Eustace arrives next week.