LONDON, (Reuters) – Third Point hedge fund boss Dan Loeb blamed Thursday’s departure of its chairman for the London-listed hedge fund’s exit on the “inexperienced and juvenile antics of activist investors”.

Third Point Investors Limited, a closed-ended fund that Third Point manages, is being criticized by Asset Value Investors and three shareholders. They collectively hold more than 10% of the vote rights and claim the fund is not performing.

Steve Bates is a former JPMorgan banker, who was chairman of TPIL over three years. He announced his resignation saying that he’d been “recently placed in a place where it would be impossible for me continue to serve as a Director of TPIL.”

TPIL released a statement saying that Bates received threats personally at one meeting the board had arranged for representatives of AVI, and separate meetings with Staude Capital. Staude Capital was another activist. TPIL didn’t say who made these threats.

Loeb claimed that Bates’ departure is a “loss of all shareholders” as well as “the conduct by these so-called “activists”, which are a stain upon institutional investors who seek to engage constructively on boards and management team… These juvenile antics smacks of inexperience and desperation.”

AVI stated in a statement it supported Bates’ appointment and regretted that he had opted to resign.

AVI added that it was “disappointing to see the continued misleading narratives being put out under the Board’s name”.

Staude Capital has not yet responded to my request for comment.

Third Point itself is an activist investor. It takes stakes in companies, and seeks changes to increase their share prices. Recently, it took control of Shell (LON) and called for the dissolution of the major oil company.