In the boardroom: what directors say about BMARC meetings

Maj-Gen DONALD ISLES OBE

Aged 70. Former Director-General (Weapons Army), MoD; military attache British Embassy, Washington. Joined BMARC as deputy managing-director in 1979, retired July 1989.

Said by Jonathan Aitken to contradict Mr James's claims that all senior management would have been fully aware of Lisi contract including ultimate delivery of arms to Iran. "There was the odd rumour the guns were going to Iran."

GERALD JAMES

Former City merchant banker and member of the Monday Club. Chairman of BMARC.

Heavily criticised in DTI report into collapse of Astra. Facing discqualification proceedings as a director.

"Mr Aitken must have been blind and deaf not to have known about Project Lisi. It was common knowledge it was going to Iran."

JONATHAN AITKEN MP

Aged 52. Joined BMARC in September 1988, left June 1990.

MP for Thanet since 1974. Minister of State for Defence Procurement 1992- 94. Chief Secretary to the Treasury since 1994.

"Seven years after the event I have no recollection of ever having heard about Project Lisi or read about it in company reports."

STEPHAN KOCK

Aged 68. Former Rhodesian SAS officer turned Midland Bank adviser on defence deals. Admits playing role in Pergau dam deal with Malaysia. Fined for firing a gun over heads of two people whose car had broken down near his house in Scotland.

"We did manufacture material for friendly countries... I sat round a board table with Jonathan Aitken for years... I had the highest regard for his integrity."

CHRISTOPHER GUMBLEY

Brother-in-law of William McNaught. Former chief excutive Astra Holdings, on the board of BMARC. Arrested on corruption charge in 1990, later sent to jail for nine months.

Said by Jonathan Aitken to contradict Mr James's claims that all senior management would have been fully aware of Lisi contract including ultimate delivery of arms to Iran.

Has refused to comment.