Exhibit 99.1
COURT DISMISSES CLASS ACTION CLAIMS AGAINST CABLE AND WIRELESS PLC
Cable and Wireless plc notes today, 15 June 2004, that in relation to the securities class action pending against the company and several of its former officers and directors (“the Defendants”), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (“the Court”) has issued its Memorandum of Opinion and Orders dismissing all of the claims against the Defendants. Today’s opinion and orders relate to the previous orders issued on 22 March 2004. These stated, in summary, that:
| • | The Defendants’ motions to dismiss the consolidated class action complaint are granted; |
| • | The motion of Sir Ralph Robins, the company’s former chairman, to dismiss the claims against him for lack of personal jurisdiction is granted; |
| • | The Defendants’ alternative motions to dismiss the claims of foreign (non-U.S.) purchasers for lack of subject matter jurisdiction are denied. |
Today the Court stated that it would not grant leave to amend the complaint and ordered that judgment be entered against the plaintiffs. The Court found that the complaint, which alleged violations of U.S. securities laws, failed to state a claim.
The orders issued today dispose of all of the remaining claims in the case, subject to appeal.
Ends
Contacts
| Investor Relations: | | |
| Virginia Porter | Director, Investor Relations | +44 20 7315 4460 |
| Craig Thornton | Manager, Investor Relations | +44 20 7315 6225 |
| Glenn Wight | Manager, Investor Relations | +44 207 315 4468 |
| | | |
| Media: | | |
| Lesley Smith | Director Corporate Affairs | +44 20 7315 4410 |
| Rollo Head/Alice MacAndrew | Finsbury | +44 20 7251 3801 |
