Indeed, it would be been seen in a more positive light if the...

Indeed, it would be been seen in a more positive light if the Company had taken the lead and released the information first. Instead, it is the media reporting on the story but before anyone talks of there being leaks, the one common denominator throughout all this has been SGH, itself. That is, every other time there has been a media story, the banks or MGN or FTI, etc have all been blamed for the media comments but never the Company, itself. It is therefore just entirely possible that many of the media leaks have indeed been sourced from within the Company, or some of those who are close to what's happening. If so, this doesn't suggest unity. Rather, the opposite.

Once again, if the Company was united and controlling the process, then it would be the Company taking the lead and releasing the information through formal channels rather than in either leaking it out or some insiders breaking from the pack. Perceptions therefore continue to rule and these are not positive. Shareholders are indeed owed more than this (far more), but then again (at the H16 results), Skippen said that the Company should apologise to its shareholders, but then proceeded to say nothing else. So, no apology made. No apology given. Only that the Company should apologise which company incidentally is led by its Board, its Chairman and its Senior Executive + Executive Management Team.

If then this was a planned leak, then the alternate interpretation is one of brash arrogance. If however it was unplanned, then there's been a break in the ranks. But if, again, it is GS that is this time accused of leaking (and FTI, MGN, the banks, etc, etc, all before it) then it is one of continuing denial either by the Company, its executive management + Board, and its shareholders.

The key to this is perception which argument they're still losing quite heavily. And not once have they moved to being on the front foot, as if in control (or even a semblance of being in control). If they were, you'd be hearing of GS (etc) first from them, and not from (or through) a newspaper.