Aer Lingus looking for white knight

Aer Lingus Chairman Colm Barrington went on RTE Radio this morning to accuse Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary of misrepresenting the performance of Aer Lingus. Mr. Barrington took exception to the comments made by Michael O'Leary that Aer Lingus have been cutting back on aircraft and routes. Colm Barrington's comments on radio follow an interview in yesterday's Irish Times in which he stated that Aer Lingus were looking for a "friendly investor". On the "Morning Ireland" program today he went on to say that he wanted to make sure "Michael O'Leary and Ryanair are not in a position to keep harassing us." Air France-KLM has been tipped as a rival bidder for Aer Lingus but so far that telephone call hasn't been made. Meanwhile an online poll in the Irish Times asking the question if Aer Lingus have a realistic chance of finding a white knight who will take 51% of the airline has produced a resounding 'No' vote with 67% in the 'Nay' camp. But is there really such a thing as a "friendly investor" ?