• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Lifestyle

Topshop billionaire named in ‘Brit #MeToo’ scandal issues denial

25 October 2018, 10:05 PM  |
AFP AFP |  @SABCNews
British fashion tycoon Philip Green

British fashion tycoon Philip Green

Image: SABC News AFP

British fashion tycoon Philip Green

British fashion tycoon Philip Green has denied “unlawful sexual or racist behaviour” after a lawmaker named him Thursday as having used an injunction to suppress the publication of harassment allegations by five employees.

Peter Hain, a House of Lords peer, claimed Green — whose international clothing empire includes the popular Topshop and Topman brands — was behind a court-issued injunction on Tuesday preventing sexual harassment and racial abuse accusations against the businessman being printed.

The order had led media outlets to cry foul about being “gagged” by rich and powerful tycoons, and prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to accuse unnamed employers of abusing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

In a statement late Thursday Green said he would not comment “on anything that has happened in court or was said in Parliament today”.

But he added: “To the extent that it is suggested that I have been guilty of unlawful sexual or racist behaviour, I categorically and wholly deny these allegations.”

The billionaire said Arcadia Group, the holding company he controls, takes employee accusations “very seriously” and thoroughly investigates them.

“In some cases these are settled with the agreement of all parties and their legal advisers.
“These settlements are confidential so I cannot comment further on them,” he added.

The allegations emerged earlier this week after The Daily Telegraph gave its entire front page Wednesday to a story headlined: “The British #MeToo scandal which cannot be revealed.”

The newspaper said the second-most senior judge in England had issued a temporary injunction the previous day stopping the publication of the accusations against a leading British businessman.

Amid widespread criticism over the court order, several members of parliament threatened to reveal the boss’s name, and on Thursday afternoon Hain told the House of Lords he would use his “parliamentary privilege” to make the disclosure.

“I feel it is my duty under parliamentary privilege to name Philip Green as the individual in question given that the media have been subject to an injunction preventing publication of full details of a story which is clearly in the public interest,” he said.

Hain said he learned the name after being “contacted by someone intimately involved in the case”.

The Daily Telegraph said the accused man had hired seven lawyers and spent nearly £500,000 ($645,000, 565,000 euros) in legal fees to settle the complaints using NDAs.

It followed up the story with another one on Thursday in which a woman identified only as a “well-known socialite” said she believed the same businessman slid a hand up her skirt at a function a decade ago.

NDAs are signed by companies and their executives to prevent business secrets from leaking out.

Their use — by high-profile figures including Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and lawyers for US President Donald Trump — has been a source of debate since the #MeToo movement first gained momentum last year.

May stressed in parliament Wednesday that NDAs “cannot stop people from whistleblowing”.

Billionaire Green’s reputation was already damaged by a 2016 scandal in which the collapse of his BHS retail chain left a £571-million deficit in its pension fund.

Following Thursday’s revelations Vince Cable, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, called for him to lose his knighthood if the allegations are true.

Analysts noted although the claims are unproven, they could be “highly damaging for both him and the various retail businesses he owns”, predicting there could be calls to boycott his stores.

Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail, said: “Unlike the pension scandal, which was complex and nuanced and readily overlooked by many consumers, this is a very personal and emotional situation.

“The sexual abuse of women is not something people forgive or forget, and it will weigh on people’s minds when they decide where to shop.”

Share article
Tags: BritainScandalPhilip GreenBritish fashion tycoonBrit #MeToo
Previous Post

Mosola accuses City of Tshwane of trying to axe him

Next Post

Ramaphosa to open SA investment summit

Related Posts

[File Image] 91st Academy Awards Vanity Fair Beverly Hills, California, US, February 24, 2019.

David Harbour on ‘Stranger Things’ season finale: ‘You’ll be blown away’

25 June 2022, 3:24 AM
A model presents a creation by designer Alexandre Mattiussi as part of his Men's Spring/Summer 2023 collection show for Ami brand during Men's Fashion Week in Paris, France, June 23, 2022.

Fashion label Ami nods to Paris for its latest show

24 June 2022, 3:07 PM
Emathongeni performed at the Festival in 2018.

Makhanda National Arts Festival officially launched

24 June 2022, 12:27 PM
A person holds a rare first edition and signed by the author copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone' by British author J.K. Rowling, which is to be put up for auction at Christie's auction house in London, Britain May 31, 2022.

‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ celebrates 25 magical years

23 June 2022, 8:45 PM
Dancing Against All Odds  performance at the Artscape Theatre

Artscape Theatre welcomes lifting of remaining COVID-19 restrictions

23 June 2022, 4:48 PM
PrinceWilliam-and-Kate_

First joint portrait of UK’s Prince William and wife Kate released

23 June 2022, 4:18 PM
Next Post
The Investment Conference follows a commitment made by President Ramaphosa to market the country as an investment destination.

Ramaphosa to open SA investment summit

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors
  • South Africans to brace for another Petrol price hike
  • More COVID-19 restrictions could be lifted including the wearing of masks
  • Video: Illegal immigrants arrested entering SA through fire hydrant at O.R. Tambo airport
  • First case of Monkeypox detected in South Africa
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • 18-year-old Durban woman defrauded of inheritance left by late father
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors

LATEST

  • South Africa
  • Sci-tech

Western Cape Health announces integration of clinics and healthcare services


Chief Justice Zondo handing over the final state capture report to President Ramaphosa
  • South Africa

State capture report failed to answer important questions, analyst


MM Sebitloane and Resource School
  • South Africa

Former learners with learning disabilities empowered and employed by MM Sebitloane Special school in Taung


  • World

Protestors have the first say as G7 Summit opens in Germany


Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia
  • Sport

Ducati’s Bagnaia secures second straight pole in Assen


The Pumas celebrate their first Currie Cup final and win
  • Sport
  • Rugby

Pumas defy odds to be crowned Currie Cup champions


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Mosola accuses City of Tshwane of trying to axe him
Next Ramaphosa to open SA investment summit