Dean Barker lawyers up

Dean Barker has called in lawyers to handle his future relationship with Team New Zealand.

Barker was shell-shocked when he found out about plans to axe him as skipper of the America's Cup syndicate.

His lawyers have written to the board asking for an explanation.

Today's Herald on Sunday says his relationship with syndicate chief Grant Dalton has been toxic for some time.

The paper says they rarely speak.

It says if Barker does move on he'll reject any kind gagging order, because he wants to tell his side of the story.