Dr Deane appears in defence

"Should Theresa go?"

The question first raised late last year is now so routinely asked by journalists that Telecom's chief executive, Theresa Gattung, and chairman, Roderick Deane, are ready andwaiting.

Critics question Gattung's performance since taking over in October 1999 and highlight Telecom's problems in Australia.

At yesterday's Telecom press conference in Auckland, the disembodied voice of a journalist attending by conference call asked the question not posed by those physically present: did Theresa feel pressured by speculation over her job security?

Gattung smiled. "Um - I think actually, Roderick wants to ... "

She looked to Deane in the next seat.

"I think I should respond to that," he said.

"Okay," said the journalist.

Deane summed up.

The telecommunications sector was "hugely demanding". Telecom was in "strong shape", with one of the best credit ratings for a telco.

Cashflow was unusually strong, debt repayment ahead of schedule.

Just when the explanation had stretched long enough to suggest the avoidance of an explicit endorsement, he said the board was "more than satisfied" with management.

Asked later whether job security questions were unfair, Gattung laughed as loudly as she always does, while chief operating officer Simon Moutter said the attacks were "ridiculous" and "needed to be ended".

Pressed again - were the questions unfair? - Gattung answered: "No telco CEO is having rose petals strewn in their path."