By Rachel Morton
The former manager of the Pike River coal mine has told the Royal Commission he thought former CEO Peter Whittall was a "dodgy git”.
Doug White made the decision to look for other work just days before the explosion when his relationship with Mr Whittall became strained.
Day three on the witness stand and the emotions were starting to show on Mr White.
He says he wanted to stay at Pike River but felt he had to start looking for another job when his relationship with his boss began to unravel.
“I tried to maintain a degree of professionalism but let my friend know I wasn't happy,” said Mr White.
In an email to a friend three days before the explosion he said; ''I am now the GM [general manager] for the whole site. The previous GM did a number on the previous CEO and is now the CEO (and still a dodgy git).''
He added he found it ''very hard to work for someone who has made or overseen so many stuff ups and blames everyone else (he tells lies too)''.
In a review after the explosion he described Mr Whittall as a megalomaniac and dictatorial.
Mr White also had several managers raise concerns with him about Mr Whittall yelling at safety manager Neville Rockhouse in a meeting.
“I find it completely unnecessary. I wouldn't say disgusting but it was definitely unnecessary the way that it was done.”
The inquiry heard that there was a "revolving door" of managers at the mine and there were financial pressures to produce coal.
Mr White also conceded the mine's gas monitoring system was not up to scratch and steps should have been taken to ensure it was.
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