GKN puts it to the vote

Bosses at engineering giant GKN traded blows with rivals at Melrose ahead of a crunch vote by shareholders today.

GKN chairman Mike Turner accused corporate raider Melrose of using “increasingly hysterical language” which “smacks of desperation” to try to convince investors to accept its £8billion offer.

Melrose accused GKN’s board of lacking the “vision” to boost its fortune.

GKN, a major supplier of car and aircraft parts, is fighting off Melrose’s hostile bid.

The 259-year-old firm’s fate is in the hands of GKN shareholders who have until 1pm today to vote.