THERE were angry words from some shareholders of Lyons Irish Holdings during the week, accusing their new majority partner, Unilever, of treating them with "contempt" and in a "shabby way". The disaffected shareholders also said the price they were being offered for their shares was "derisory".

They got little comfort from Unilever Ireland's chief executive, Mr Jim Rice, who is also a director of Lyons. He told the Lyons annual general meeting that shareholders should take up the Unilever offer of 323.3p per share, which he stressed was final.