Philip Green named by peer as businessman behind alleged sexual harassment injunction
4 min read
Philip Green has been named in parliament as the businessman who allegedly used gagging orders to suppress reporting of sexual harassment and bullying claims against him.
The retail tycoon was named by Lord Hain, who said he felt a “duty” to reveal the identity under parliamentary privilege. Sir Philip denied any allegations.
It comes days after the Daily Telegraph revealed it was unable to name the figure behind what it described as “the British #MeToo scandal” as a result of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Addressing the House of Lords today, former Labour minister Peter Hain 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 peer added that he had been contacted by someone “intimately involved in the case of a powerful businessman using non-disclosure agreements and substantial payments to conceal the truth about serious and repeated sexual harassment, racist abuse and bullying, which is compulsively continuing”.
The paper said it spent eight months investigating allegations of bullying, intimidation and sexual harassment made against the businessman.
The Court of Appeal granted a temporary injunction after pointing to a string of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by those involved.
On Wednesday, Theresa May said she could not comment “on a particular case that is currently before the courts” but revealed that ministers are currently considering plans to overhaul the laws around NDAs.
“Non disclosure agreements cannot stop people from whistleblowing but it is clear some employers are using them unethically,” she told MPs.
Top figures from across the political divide quickly piled in to suggest Sir Philip should be stripped of his knighthood if the claims are proved true.
Lib Dem leader Sir 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 said: "The charge sheet against the knighthood is growing. Parliament and the country have made their views clear on this matter."
'LAW MUST CHANGE'
Dawn Butler, the Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary, said: "While much of the focus in the coming days will be on this man and his alleged actions, let us also pay tribute to survivors of sexual abuse and harassment, who are too often silenced and cannot command an army of lawyers to fight their corner.
"NDAs should never be used to suppress allegations of criminal behaviour. If the current law doesn’t protect the voices of survivors, the next Labour government will legislate to do so."
Labour MP and chair of the Women's PLP Jess Phillips said: “It is no surprise to me that a man with such a terrible reputation in every regard also has a disregard for his employees.
"His power and his money bought him cover only for moments. I’m glad that riches are not a get out of jail free card."
Others took to Twitter to comment on the unveiling of Sir Philip.
Sir Philip said: "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."
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