Lord Hain defends outing Topshop tycoon Sir Philip Green over harassment claims
3 min read
Labour peer Lord Hain has defended his decision to out Topshop boss Sir Philip Green as the business mogul at the centre of an alleged harassment cover-up.
Yesterday the former Cabinet minister sensationally unmasked Sir Philip as the businessman accused by the Telegraph of using gagging orders to suppress reporting of sexual harassment and bullying claims against him.
The retail tycoon said he “categorically and wholly” denies the allegations.
Lord Hain used parliamentary privilege to reveal Sir Philip’s identity, in a controversial move later dubbed “improper” by a prominent barrister.
Hugh Tomlinson QC, who is also a founder of the Hacked Off press regulation campaign, told BBC Radio 4's World Tonight that courts were the "proper institutions" for taking such action.
"Parliament can't trespass into areas of the courts and say we think the courts have got it wrong - and that's what Lord Hain is effectively doing," he argued.
But Lord Hain later defended his decision, telling Newsnight: “I considered it extremely seriously before I said it."
"I'm not disputing judges' responsibilities or timing or anything like that. That's a matter for the judiciary.
“I'm just charging my function as a parliamentarian and what concerned me about this case was wealth, and power that comes with it, and abuse.
"And that was what led me to act in the way that I did."
The Labour peer added that he had since received "overwhelming support - particularly from women".
Speaking in the House of Lords yesterday, he said: “I feel it’s 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 the full details of this story which is clearly in the public interest.”
The Daily Telegraph kicked off speculation earlier this week when it revealed it had been banned from naming a high-profile businessman embroiled in what it described as “the British #MeToo scandal”.
MPs have since issued fresh calls for Sir Philip to be stripped of his knighthood.
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, said: “He narrowly and luckily escaped losing his knighthood over the pensions scandal.
"If these allegations are correct, he should certainly be stripped of his knighthood."
Work and Pensions Committee chair Frank Field added: "The charge sheet against the knighthood is growing. Parliament and the country have made their views clear on this matter."
And Labour MP Jess Phillips told the Times: “I’m no fan of the gongs system full stop, but to allow Philip Green to call himself Sir literally devalues the entire thing. He is an embarrassment to our country.”
'SIXTH VICTIM'
Mr Field also revealed last night that he had been speaking to a sixth alleged victim of Sir Philip who had asked him to share her story in Parliament.
He said: “I have been talking this evening with somebody who witnessed grotesque bullying at work.
“They would like what they witnessed to be shared, through the House of Commons, with the nation.
“I am seeking to raise urgently with the Government the importance of having a mechanism in Parliament through which the voices of victims of abuse can be heard.
“This would develop the role of the House of Commons in a way which stands up for people who have little money, against those who have much.”
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