John Poynton has resigned as a director of major Australian casino operator Crown Resorts.

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Poynton, who was also chairman and director of Burswood Ltd, the Crown operation in Perth, Western Australia, leaves with immediate effect.

The chairman of Crown, Helen Coonan, said that Poynton had been a director of Crown since November 2018. “The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority has advised Crown that it considered it appropriate that John steps down as a director of all companies within the Crown group due to a perceived lack of independence arising out of his past relationship with James Packer and CPH, notwithstanding the recent termination of John’s consultancy arrangement with CPH.

“As a result, John has agreed to resign in the best interests of Crown and our shareholders, despite no adverse findings by the Commissioner in the ILGA inquiry in relation to his suitability, integrity or performance.”