Ken Bates has spoken to Talksport this afternoon (Sunday) insisting he was perfectly within his rights to agree the private air contract that led to his dismissal from Leeds United.

The man who has fired more managers that your average Leeds fan has drank pre-match pints of Tetley's got a bitter-taste of his own medicine on Friday night when Leeds United sacked him as Club President.

Although the club have only issued a brief statement confirming his departure and insist they are bound by a confidentiality clause, Bates has angrily turned to the media to put his side forward claiming it was a row over his expenses that led to his hasty exit.

Earlier he told talkSPORT: "Basically I had a chance of renewing that travel expense contract at a price that is cheaper than existing and at the same time, more importantly, it was in sterling and protects Leeds' (accounts) because all gas is bought in dollars and most of the handling charges are in the EC.

"So, I checked, very interestingly, with the solicitor who wrote me the letter when I met him socially and he confirmed that a director had the authority to commit a club or a company in which he was a director.

"So I did it and he left the details at the office, thought no more about it.

"That was on June 27. On July 24 I had a hand-delivered letter telling me that I had broken the contract or agreement and asking me for my comments.

"I immediately rang the lawyer concerned and his office was closed and I left a message on his answerphone on which I said 'there's a perfectly clear explanation for this, let's have a board meeting when I get back and we'll sort it out around the table'. That was on July 26.

"On July 28 I get another letter telling me they have terminated my contract. In all that time, not one person from GFH had rung me to discuss the matter.

"In fact, I've spoken to one of their directors on a very regular basis and he had not even mentioned it. There's nothing I can do about it until I get back next Tuesday and then we'll have to see what happens."

He continued: "If you look at the contract which they drew up - I only signed - I have been doing that mode of transport for the last eight years and they included it in the contract, so there's nothing new there, I don't have to justify it.

"It said it in the contract, which they signed."

Bates, 81, currently is on holiday in Italy. He has also threatened to sue Leeds over what he described as "despicable treatment".

In an article with the Observer earlier, it was claimed that although Bates claimed he did not take any wages whilst Chairman, he received £5000 a month expenses for his office in Monte Carlo and his private travel to matches cost the club £120,000 a season.

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