WATCH: Jersey billionaire responds to #MeToo allegations

Friday 26 October 2018

A retail billionaire, with substantial business interests in Jersey, Sir Philip Green, has denied “unlawful sexual or racist behaviour” after being outed in Parliament as the businessman alleged to have used gagging contracts to silence harassment victims.

Listed by the Sunday Times this year as Jersey’s third wealthiest 'resident' Sir Philip was yesterday named by former Commons Leader Lord Peter Hain after he used an injunction to stop the Telegraph newspaper from using his name in a piece detailing ‘#MeToo’ allegations from employees.

The Labour Lord told peers that he felt it was his “duty” to unmask Sir Philip using parliamentary privilege, which means he cannot be prosecuted for doing so.

Sir Philip’s privacy injunction has since collapsed, with the Arcadia Group magnate last night formally responding to the accusations.

Video: Lord Hain names Sir Philip using parliamentary privilege. (Guardian/Commons)

“I am not commenting on anything that has happened in court or was said in parliament today. 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,” he said. 

“Arcadia and I take accusations and grievances from employees very seriously and in the event that one is raised, it is thoroughly investigated. Arcadia employs more than 20,000 people and in common with many large businesses sometimes receives formal complaints from employees. 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.”

Despite his denial, the fashion baron is now facing renewed calls to have his knighthood stripped from him.

Pictured: Sir Philip Green and his wife Lady Tina Green.

LibDem Leader Sir Vince Cable said that Sir Philip had only “narrowly and luckily” avoided losing the title after he sold the BHS chain for £1, putting thousands of staff pensions at risk. 

Sir Philip, who made his wealth at the helm of a retail group counting Topshop and Burton in its portfolio, is known to have substantial business interests in Jersey. 

Although he and his wife Lady Tina Green saw their riches shrink by £787million in the past year, the pair nonetheless retained their position on the 2018 Channel Islands rich list.