Ann: Business Update, page-191

The reason shorts increased at that time is that insider selling is a classic red flag used by traders. It unfortunately is often highly correlated with subsequent share price performance.
I have no problem with directors selling but they need to be ethical about it. They may be completely innocent but in hindsight this looks dodgy.

Lending rates can blow out on the odd occasion, usually over the short term only. 18% is per annum, so the shorter will try to undo the borrow asap when availability improves.

Don’t believe hearsay. Don’t believe me. Find out by ringing a stock lender like UBS and asking.