‘Untouchable’ banker kept job despite claims of harassment

COUTTS is at the centre of a sexual harassment scandal after it emerged that an “untouchable” banker was allowed to keep his job despite a slew of allegations.

The bank, which is used by the Queen, conducted an internal investigation after female staff complained about the behaviour of Harry Keogh, 57, said to be so intolerable that some women refused to work with him.

Many reported allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Keogh and other bankers, including lewd comments, heavy drinking and unwanted physical contact, according to accounts seen by The Wall Street Journal.

One woman said Mr Keogh brought in one third of the bank’s business and was therefore untouchable.

Gayle Schumacher, the senior banker who conducted the investigation, was said to have been shocked by what she learned during interviews with members of Mr Keogh’s team.

She reported her findings to Michael Morley, the chief executive officer, who is said to have recommended that Mr Keogh should be sacked. Instead he had a bonus withheld, received a written warning and was assigned a coach.

Mr Keogh, who has been a managing director for eight years, reportedly accepted the disciplinary action in 2015 without admitting to the allegations.

A Coutts spokesman said: “When allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made, an investigation was conducted. It found that the team’s standards had fallen below acceptable. Decisive disciplinary action was taken.”

Mr Keogh declined to comment.