http://sport.guardian.co.uk/motorsport/story/0,,2127991,00.html By Alan Henry July 17, 2007 The Guardian The McLaren team hit back in the formula one spy scandal yesterday, denying that confidential Ferrari documents found in the chief designer's Mike Coughlan's house were handled by any other member of their staff, and insisted that no team member knew about their existence before legal action began a fortnight ago. Weekend reports in the Italian press claimed that Coughlan had stated that he had confided in several staff members that he had the documents. He reportedly made these allegations in a confidential affidavit, copies of which are now in the possession of Ferrari and the FIA, motorsport's governing body. This followed suggestions from Ferrari's high court application last week that McLaren's managing director, Jonathan Neale, had also been made aware of the documents - although it was not known when and how he had found out. McLaren yesterday dismissed those suggestions, and reiterated their belief that Coughlan acted alone in having the documents. "McLaren is concerned that erroneous speculation has arisen from inaccurate and misleading reference to the contents of confidential legal papers filed at court in response to Ferrari's UK action to recover its intellectual property," said their statement. "This is unfortunate and is prejudicial to a fair interpretation of these matters." McLaren say that no Ferrari materials or data are, or ever have been, in the possession of any McLaren employee other than the individual sued by Ferrari. "The fact that he held at his home unsolicited materials from Ferrari was not known to any other member of the team prior to the 3rd July 2007," the statement added. "McLaren has categorically established that no Ferrari information has at any stage been used to develop its car." _____________________________________________________ Attend Black Hat USA, July 28-August 2 in Las Vegas, the world's premier technical event for ICT security experts. Featuring 30 hands-on training courses and 90 Briefings presentations with lots of new content and new tools. Network with 4,000 delegates from 70 nations. Visit product displays by 30 top sponsors in a relaxed setting. Rates increase on June 1 so register today. http://www.blackhat.com
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