Rumour of the week: the insurance world was abuzz this week with stories about a broker in trouble. One name in the mix was Opus.

Depending on who you talked to, it was either going bust or up for sale.

But, speaking to Backchat, Opus chief executive Ian Bright firmly denied both rumours. "That's total and utter nonsense. The business is sound and we've got the support of the bank. Absolutely, categorically the business is not for sale.

"We've had a couple of approaches but we've sent the predators on their way."

Bright suggested that perhaps the rumours had been fuelled by those disgruntled at being rebuffed.

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