Business Diary: Souter makes Google next target

Google must be quaking in its boots. OK, so it runs a modestly successful internet search business, which makes a few quid. But it has not, until now, had to face the wrath of Sir Brian Souter. The Stagecoach founder is so enraged that his personal website – briansouter.com, since you asked – appears to have disappeared from Google search results, that he's launched a campaign against "Google's manipulation". "We know other sites have met with a similar fate," says Sir Brian's spokesman, in a call for victims to come forward. "We would like specific examples so that we can pass the information on to Westminster's Culture, Media and Sport Committee."

Chinese decline Greek invitation
The Chinese may be interested in buying some Italian sovereign debt, but don't think they can be suckered into picking up Greek bonds, despite rumours to the contrary. "We have invited all the countries that you have mentioned [including Russia and China] to take an active part in covering the country's borrowing need," the country's deputy finance minister, Filippos Sachinidis, told Greek radio rather ruefully yesterday. "Despite the invitation, we have found there was little or no participation at all."

Leighton reveals Mars lock-in
There are many enjoyable moments in Allan Leighton's latest book, Tough Calls, but the first chapter reveals his career might have been very different had it not been for some hard-nosed executives at Mars. Leighton, who would go on to run companies including Asda and Royal Mail, had handed in his notice at Mars years previously in favour of a job at the food and drinks giant Grand Metropolitan. His bosses apparently locked him in a room until he changed his mind.

BAA calls in RAF at Heathrow
Having turned down an offer of help from the Army last winter, when Heathrow was buried in snow, airport operator BAA appears to have had a change of heart. The Sun reports that it has hired Tim Etches, a former wing commander in the RAF, as its new winter operations manager – the job is basically to ensure there are some winter operations at the accident-prone airport this year.