Sir Philip Green's accusers: The allegations told for the first time

With the injunction against the Telegraph lifted, we can now reveal the allegations against Sir Philip Green that centre around five former employees.

'The female executive who was kissed, slapped and groped - and paid £1m to stay silent'

Sir Philip Green is alleged to have groped a senior female executive and called her a “naughty girl” before paying her more than £1 million to stay silent about the incident.

In front of other employees, the Arcadia boss is alleged to have on a number of occasions kissed the woman’s face, slapped her bottom and made comments about her weight, leaving her and others present feeling “uncomfortable”.

The woman eventually complained to her HR department, but the process led to claims of a “cover-up”.

Despite his behaviour being witnessed by countless staff members, Sir Philip obtained an injunction against this newspaper to prevent details of the allegations being published.

Since Sir Philip was named in the House of Lords as the businessman who had taken out an injunction to prevent details of sexual harassment claims being made public, a number of other women have come forward to allege that they suffered similar treatment at the hands of the billionaire, or witnessed it.

In court documents, his lawyers admitted that he acted in a “tactile” way and has “prodded and poked individuals”.

Then, while his victims and The Telegraph remained gagged, he told another newspaper: “There has obviously from time to time been some banter, but as far as I’m concerned that’s never been offensive.”

But The Telegraph can now reveal exactly how offensive his behaviour was towards female employees.

The senior female executive made serious allegations against him – including “inappropriate” touching of her body – to the human resources department in 2017 and an internal investigation was launched.

Employees were interviewed and witness statements taken. The complaint was well-known about within the firm.

At one point, the businessman is alleged to have kissed her face in front of other employees and grabbed her by the waist.

Since the injunction against this newspaper was made public, further witnesses to his behaviour have come forward.

One source alleged that there had been an incident where Sir Philip walked behind her and “grabbed her bum” and the woman was “distressed”.

Other employees also witnessed him smacking her bottom and those of other women at the firm as well as grabbing their knees and thighs and making comments about their weight. He was also said to have walked up behind staff members and massaged their shoulders.

An internal investigation into the woman’s allegations concluded that Sir Philip probably made jokes about her weight, that he would have sworn and shouted at her and that he probably prodded, poked and slapped her. But all these things were dismissed as light-hearted horseplay, The Telegraph understands, with claims of sexual harassment shrugged off as it was said Sir Philip treats lots of his staff, both male and female, in this way.

Following the internal investigation, papers were lodged at an employment tribunal for sex discrimination and Sir Philip was personally named.

People familiar with the process said the billionaire believed he would “win”, but by mid-May, both sides had agreed a financial settlement of more than a £1 million.

The Telegraph has chosen not to name the woman, and when she was contacted about the settlement, she declined to comment.

Among the other women who have since come forward to allege similar experiences, one said she had been “groped” by him on two separate occasions at work events and at one he “kissed my neck”.

The woman said she was only speaking on the condition of anonymity and asked for the allegations she was making not 
to be reported in detail because 
“I don’t want to be destroyed 
by him”.

A former employee told The Telegraph that Sir Philip had “slapped her a***”, but she did not make a complaint as “everyone in HR was aware” of his behaviour.

“It was never a secret. It’s been happening for years,” she said.

Another woman said she did complain to HR after he “grabbed my bottom”, but no action was taken.

One former employee who allegedly witnessed similar incidents said: “It was about power. He humiliated staff.”

Sir Philip has said he “categorically denies any unlawful… sexual behaviour”.

But the claims will pull into focus how non-disclosure agreements are being used to conceal serious allegations, amid concerns that such secrecy means that sexist cultures and abuses of power within companies are being brushed under the carpet.

Following the launch of the #MeToo movement, gagging clauses have received a great deal of scrutiny, because despite most legal experts believing that they 
are unenforceable if they are used to cover up wrongdoing, it appears they are sometimes used by companies and individuals to conceal embarrassing and inappropriate behaviour.

From calling MPs who criticised him a bunch of w*****s to questioning whether it was correct for “girls parading in the ring at the boxing” to be banned, the businessman’s behaviour has seemed to be increasingly at odds with a world that has become ever more focused on the treatment of women in the workplace.

This change in attitudes was behind the outrage at the Presidents Club, where the hostesses were forced to sign NDAs before the dinner, which Sir Philip attended with his son.

Afterwards, when asked for views on the outcry and on #MeToo, Sir Philip is said to have pondered: “Where is it all going to end?”

More than a year later, he may have a partial answer now that an injunction he sought to prevent details of sexual and racial harassment lies in tatters.     

'The black employee who was mocked for his dreadlocks and told he was still throwing spears'

Sir Philip Green told a black employee that his “problem” was that he was still “throwing spears in the jungle”, mocked his dreadlocks and accused him of smoking cannabis, it is alleged.

The senior executive complained and was eventually paid close to £1  million and forced to sign a controversial gagging order that banned him from discussing his treatment.

The Daily Telegraph can now reveal details of the “vile” comments Sir Philip used to single out the employee after the businessman dropped an injunction against this newspaper.

In the three months since the legal action became public, other staff members – current and former – have come forward to raise concerns about the way the billionaire treated members of ethnic minorities. Some even claimed that there had been discussions on the need to be “careful about hiring” because Sir Philip felt there were “too many black people” in the organisation.

The employee spent more than two decades working for one of the retail brands owned by Arcadia, but former colleagues have revealed that, eventually, the abuse became too much for him.

They have told The Telegraph that in one meeting the Topshop owner’s gaze became fixated on the employee’s head. Squinting his eyes and making faint murmurings, it was as if he was trying to work something out.

Then, after a few minutes, the businessman looked at his employee and barked, “What the **** have you got on your head?”

The question was bemusing to the staff in the room. He was not wearing a hat or scarf. The employee was clearly confused by the question and attempted to ask his boss what he meant.

An aggressive exchange followed and, according to those with knowledge of the incident, someone clarified that Sir Philip appeared to be talking about the employee’s hair, which was braided in dreadlocks.

The tone and nature of the questions made many in the room feel uncomfortable, and it was not the only time that Sir Philip appeared to exhibit questionable behaviour towards this particular employee.

On several occasions, the businessman allegedly assumed the employee would smoke cannabis – an assumption the employee felt was based on his skin colour and choice of hairstyle.

Then, in June 2016, Sir Philip arrived at the company’s office with the forthcoming European Union referendum on his mind.

He had been driven to work by his chauffeur and, according to those in the meeting on the bright June morning, appeared to believe his driver would be an “out” supporter. The businessman then started to question the man about which way he was likely to vote.

According to those present, Sir Philip appeared to believe his Arcadia employee would be voting the same way as his chauffeur, an assumption that appeared to be based on the fact that both men were black.

Since The Telegraph published that there were allegations made against Sir Philip, others have come forward to recount an occasion when he told the same employee: “The problem with you … is that everyone else is firing guns and you’re still throwing spears in the jungle.”

It is understood many of these incidents were raised in a complaint by the employee shortly before he left the company in 2017. An employment tribunal claim for race discrimination was issued against Arcadia and Sir Philip personally.

In May 2017, the complaint had been withdrawn and the employee was paid close to £1 million by Arcadia.

When he was approached about the abuse he had suffered, the man refused to comment.

But a colleague, who had worked for the company for more than 10 years, said Sir Philip behaved in a “vile” and apparently racist manner, while others said he “may have thought he was being funny but the language was shocking”.

Sources have told The Telegraph 
that these were not the only examples of alleged racist outbursts by Sir Philip.

According to employees who have worked with the businessman for decades, Sir Philip was known for making inappropriate or xenophobic comments about staff or visitors.

When a Chinese businessman arrived at the company’s headquarters three years ago, one employee said Sir Philip looked at him and asked: “What do you think Mr Ching Chong Charlie?”

A second employee confirmed Sir Philip had boasted about the comment afterwards in front of a room full of people.

They said he laughed at the “nickname” he had given the businessman.

Another staff member was allegedly called “Bhaji” and “Curry” because of her Indian heritage.

Others allege that in making comments about an Indian woman’s weight, he asked her if she had “eaten too many samosas”.

It is not the first time Sir Philip has landed himself in hot water with comments that have been perceived as xenophobic.

In 2003, he had to apologise to the Irish after suggesting that they were illiterate in a rant at a journalist.

And, in October, two days after being named in Parliament as the businessman granted an injunction against The Telegraph, he was forced to deny racially abusing Filipino crew members on his superyacht.

Sir Philip has denied any “unlawful … racist behaviour”.

'The female executive who told Green not to come any closer after having face grabbed'

A third Arcadia executive accused Sir Philip of “inappropriate behaviour”, including “grabbing” her face and comments that made her feel “uncomfortable”.

It is understood the female executive, who held a senior position in the firm, complained to human resources about the way she had been treated, saying she had been sexually harassed and intimidated.

Sources familiar with the process said the woman had found comments the businessman made “offensive” and “uncomfortable”.

On one occasion, it is understood that she told the businessman “not to come any closer”, because she was unhappy about him touching her.

Sources familiar with the grievance said the woman thought it was inappropriate for Sir Philip to touch her face, including squeeze her cheeks and putting his arm around her back.

It is understood the woman felt that Sir Philip’s behaviour was “intimidating”. She was also said to be concerned about the way some of her colleagues had been treated and had allegedly seen the businessman “slap” other women’s bottoms and “squeeze” their thighs and knees.

Following a complaint, it is understood that Arcadia paid the woman hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Documents released by the court show that Sir Philip’s lawyers said ]his “style is predominately jovial in nature”. They said he “has in a playful way poked and prodded individuals with whom he has worked closely”. His lawyers added he “has also been known to put his arms around individuals at times in a totally non-sexual way”.

'The senior female exec who was dragged around in a headlock in front of staff'

Sources inside Arcadia revealed how a senior executive complained that Sir Philip was behaving “inappropriately”, including an incident where she was publicly humiliated and assaulted when she was held in a “headlock” by the businessman.

The woman, who worked at a senior level in the company for several years, is understood to have complained about the way she was treated by the billionaire last year. Many of the incidents were witnessed by other employees.

Sources told the Telegraph that, on one occasion, Sir Philip “dragged her around in a headlock” in front of other members of staff.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place at a press event two or three years ago.

Dozens of people allegedly witnessed Sir Philip approach the woman and put her in a headlock holding her head close to his chest, “telling her to sort items of clothing out and telling her off”.

“It was very public and people were absolutely shocked”, said one well-placed source.

“He was shouting something about T-shirts. He thinks he owns people and can treat people how he likes. Holding someone in a headlock is an awful thing to do”.

Sources told the Telegraph that Sir Philip allegedly “groped” the woman’s waist and stomach in the office. The alleged incident is understood to have taken place in front of the woman’s colleagues and made her feel “intimidated”.

Sources with knowledge of the claims made by the woman said she felt “intimidated” by the alleged behaviour.

It is understood the woman was paid hundreds of thousands of pounds after making a formal complaint.

Lawyers representing Sir Philip said he was a “passionate businessman, who can at times be over-exuberant and hot-headed”. They said he can be “perceived at times as aggressive with senior and trusted staff”

They added: “It is further denied that any of Sir Philip’s conduct towards employees amounted to any type of crime, or anything that would amount to gross misconduct, or a serious risk to health and safety.”

'The male executive who had his mobile phone smashed to pieces'

In a complaint which has become all too familiar during the investigations, an accusation was made by a senior executive that the businessman behaved in an aggressive and intimidating manner.

The executive is understood to have complained about an incident where Sir Philip smashed his mobile phone after reprimanding him for not keeping him sufficiently informed about his work.

“What have you got this for if you don’t call me?”, the businessman allegedly shouted, before smashing the device.

The incident was widely known about within the company and it is understood that shortly afterwards, the employee left his role.

It is understood that the employee was also aware of sexual harassment allegations and is said to have witnessed some of the alleged incidents.

When the Telegraph put the allegations to Sir Philip, the businessman said that the executive was paid “one month’s salary” when he left and had recently asked the organisation for a reference to help him secure another job.

When the Telegraph first put allegations to Sir Philip and his company Arcadia last summer, many people said that Sir Philip had allegedly threatened  to throw them out of windows or off balconies. Several said he had threatened to kill them during angry outbursts and some claimed the businessman had “slapped them around the face” or “prodded” their bodies.

Since Sir Philip was named in October as the individual at the centre of the scandal, the Telegraph has spoken to dozens of other people who have alleged they were subjected to verbal abuse, bullying and intimidation or witnessed similar incidents.

Some spoke of being “frightened” of the businessman and feeling so intimidated they physically shook before meetings.

• investigations@telegraph.co.uk