Green threatens Labour MP with legal action over BHS pension bailout claims

SIR PHILIP GREEN has threatened Frank Field, the Labour MP, with legal action over allegations made in a radio interview last week, as tensions between the pair escalated.

In the interview, which has since been removed from Talk Radio’s website, Mr Field, the chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, alleged he had obtained confidential information regarding Sir Philip’s £363m BHS pension bailout.

Sir Philip’s lawyers contacted Mr Field cautioning that releasing the information would be a breach of pension and data protection laws, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Prior to his lawyers’ involvement, Sir Philip had sent his own letter to Mr Field, seen by The Daily Telegraph, in which he questioned what the “dynamite new evidence” the MP referred to in the interview could be.

“How can this be the case when the document you refer to on the radio is not new; it is a document produced by the regulator last year? I have no idea what the case you mentioned has to do with me other than to assume you are using it as a further opportunity to attack me,” Sir Philip wrote. “I sat in front of your parliamentary hearing for some six hours during which I said I would sort the pension. I believe I have kept my word and, on a strictly voluntary basis, have paid £363m in cash.”

The letter related to the funds that Sir Philip paid into the BHS pension fund under a deal with the Pensions Regulator.

Mr Field last night said: “I welcome this intervention. I would plead not guilty to each of these trumped up charges. This drama has moved well and truly into its next act.” The Pensions Regulator declined to comment.