UK's Capita chairman quits over Labour Party loan

LONDON, Mar 23 (Reuters) Support services firm Capita Group Plc said today Rod Aldridge had resigned as executive chairman following publicity surrounding his decision to loan money to Britain's ruling Labour Party.

''There have been suggestions that this loan has resulted in the group being awarded government contracts. This is entirely spurious,'' Aldridge said in a statement.

''Whilst anyone who is associated with the public procurement process would understand that this view has no credibility I do not want this misconception to continue,'' he added.

Capita said Aldridge would now serve as non-executive chairman until the group's interim results at the end of July in order to ensure a smooth transition to a successor.

Reuters SK SP1324