Walker steps away from Priceline.com

Jay Walker, founder of US-based e-tailer priceline.com, has stepped down from his position as vice-chairman of the company.

In a statement the company said Walker left to concentrate on his latest venture, Walker Digital. The exit will be seen as a further blow to priceline.com, which has already suffered a number of high-profile defections, as well as job cuts and plummeting share price in recent months. Walker Digital itself is not without problems - in November it sacked 100 out of 115 head office staff, and is currently under investigation for illegal dismissal. Priceline's share price is currently languishing at $1.44, after reaching a high of $162 shortly after its IPO in April 1999. Walker's departure will increase speculation that the firm is about to join the ever growing list of dot-com failures.