520 jobs at risk .. but the Green party goes on
» Grand Prix bash on superyacht » He’s not been in office for year Tycoon has deserted crumbling lair
Green’s £100m superyacht Lionheart Green with Kate Moss in 2014 Tycoon with wife Tina Green in Monaco earlier this week PHILIP Green once used his London office as a lair to lord it over the family fashion empire.
Underlings and suppliers were summoned, with many enduring a tongue lashing. No more. With his company at risk of crumbling and yet more lurid allegations against him, Green is breaking the habit of a lifetime and keeping a low profile.
Visits to his HQ, and even the UK, are clearly rare, though no doubt he has been running things from abroad. Tory wannabe leader Rory Stewart has said he’d take Green’s knighthood away “tomorrow”. But it’s two and a half years since MPs voted that he didn’t deserve the gong.
Yet, despite pressure, the Westminster committee that could recommend it has remained shamefully silent. DAVE GILL OF SHOPWORKERS’ UNION USDAW BLASTS GREEN
Philip Green should come ashore and focus on keeping the business afloat
is absolutely shocking that the chairman of a struggling business has apparently not been in the office for a year. We’ve all seen the pictures of Philip Green on his yachts and we think he should come ashore and focus on keeping the business afloat.”
A small army of staff have reportedly spent the week prepping Green’s 90-metre yacht Lionheart for tomorrow’s party. Workers were seen polishing bannisters as food and drink was loaded in Monaco.
Little is known about what is planned but previous parties held by tycoon have not been low key.
For his 60th in 2012 Green had a £6million four-day bash in Mexico where guests danced on the beach to performances by Stevie Wonder and Robbie Williams. The latest claims of sexual misconduct came in the House of Lords on Thursday.
Speaking under the protection of parliamentary privilege, Lord Peter Hain said one of Green’s alleged victims had told him: “He was touching and repeatedly slapping women staff’s bottoms, grabbing thighs and touching legs.”
Green, who has always denied the allegations, said making the comments while Arcadia struggled was “beyond irresponsible”.
Arcadia said the firm was thoroughly investigating all grievances.