Breakdown service the AA has demanded the repayment of more than £1m in bonuses from former chairman Bob Mackenzie following news of a previously undisclosed “public altercation”, according to reports.

Bob Mackenzie

The AA has written to Mackenzie demanding the repayment of bonuses for 2016 and 2017, Sky News reports, a figure amounting to £1.2m.

Mackenzie left his role as executive chairman in July following a row in a hotel bar with Michael Lloyd, the head of the company’s insurance business. The AA described Mackenzie’s behaviour at the time as “gross misconduct”.

Since the incident Mackenzie’s son has described his father as suffering from “mental health” issues.

The second incident is said to have taken place before the dismissal event and Sky reports it involved a person from outside the AA.

Simon Breakwell was appointed acting chief executive following Mackenzie’s departure. Breakwell had been serving as a non-executive and chair of the remuneration committee.

John Leach took over as chairman. Leach had been senior independent director and was chairing the risk and audit committee.

The company said in a statement: “As detailed in the annual report, the Board had already begun the process of splitting the combined roles of executive chairman as the company nears the end of the transformation programme. The nomination committee will now accelerate this appointment of a chief executive.”