Solicitors who handled gag clauses investigated by watchdog

‘We are looking into whether our principles of professional behaviour have been followed’

SOLICITORS involved in gagging Sir Philip Green’s staff are being investigated over their conduct, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is looking into the grievance procedure and non-disclosure agreements (NDAS) signed by at least one of Sir Philip’s previous employees who accused him of sexual harassment.

They could face sanctions including being struck off.

It comes as The Telegraph revealed how crucial witness testimonies were left out of a report into sexual harassment. The SRA is understood to have begun looking into the use of NDAS at Arcadia after receiving a complaint from Jess Phillips, the Labour MP on the women and equalities committee.

In a response, the SRA said in a letter to Ms Phillips: “We are looking into this matter and whether our principles of professional behaviour and guidance have been followed.”

Last week, The Telegraph disclosed that two male executives told a lawyer working for Arcadia that they had witnessed Sir Philip as he “slapped” a woman’s bottom on several occasions.

However, their comments did not appear in the final report, which is understood to have concluded that the businessman had not sexually harassed a female executive. Deborah Cooper, a lawyer working for Arcadia, carried out the investigation.

A finance executive is understood to have said that he had witnessed Sir Philip “slap” the woman’s bottom. However, it is understood the final report only stated that the executive could not “recall” a specific meeting.

A second witness is said to have told the lawyer that he had seen Sir Philip “slap” the woman’s bottom, which made her “distressed”. It was later claimed he had retracted his evidence. Shortly after the initial report was delivered, the female executive is believed to have appealed, amid allegations of a “cover-up”.

Ms Cooper later alleged that she was bullied by the businessman during the course of the inquiry, a court was told during a hearing about the case.

The SRA did not respond to a request to comment. If misconduct is found to have taken place, the SRA can issue written warnings, fines or even suspend or strike off solicitors and issue unlimited fines. Neither Arcadia nor Ms Cooper responded to a request for comment. DAC Beachcroft, called in to advise Arcadia on the NDAS, has said that it cannot comment.