Family of former Vodafone manager found drowned call for ‘Adrian’s law’ to protect franchisees

Adrian Howe’s family believe that fears his deal would be financially ruinous led him to kill himself

The family of a former mobile phone store manager who was found drowned days before his new Vodafone franchise was to open its doors is pressing the government to introduce a new franchising law in his name.

The call comes a week after Vodafone settled a long-running legal claim filed by 62 of its former franchisees who alleged that the company “unjustly enriched” itself at their expense by up to £85m.