Green faces US police probe after ‘spanking’ claims by fitness coach
SHAMED Sir Philip Green is being investigated by US police after being accused of groping a fitness instructor at a luxury health spa.
The 66-year-old billionaire retail boss, who has been accused of sexually harassing UK employees, is said to have “spanked” pilates instructor Katie Surridge at the resort in Tucson, Arizona.
Mother-of-two Miss Surridge, 37, claims Sir Philip also made inappropriate sexual comments while she taught at Canyon Ranch, where he has a £2million holiday home.
Her claims add to the growing clamour to strip Sir Philip of his knighthood.
Crusading MP Frank Field has reported the Topshop owner and ex-BHS boss to the Cabinet committee in charge of removing honours from disgraced recipients.
The ex-Labour welfare minister complained about Sir Philip using gagging orders to silence former female employees who accused him of sexual harassment.
Mr Field said: “They had suffered in what can best be described as a ‘circus’ of continual harassment.”
Sexual
Miss Surridge told a newspaper that Sir Philip molested her in a studio at the resort in January 2016 after a class.
She said: “I felt very taken advantage of and like, you know, just a piece of meat there at his disposal.
“It feels completely sexual in nature. And the way – the noises, and the, ‘Oh, you naughty girl’. Like ugh! I can hear him saying it right now.”
Miss Surridge, who waived her anonymity, has been spoken to by police officers.
One witness allegedly saw Sir Philip touch her bottom as if “testing a piece of fruit”.
The tycoon, whose wife Lady Tina plays a high-profile role in his business empire, is said to have been banned from the ranch facilities during the investigation.
Sir Philip, who has been mired in controversy since the collapse of BHS, has denied Miss Surridge’s claims.
A spokesman for Sir Philip said: “All this was investigated by Canyon Ranch at the time. Nothing was found against Sir Philip and the matter was dropped.
“In terms of the allegation, it did not happen. Sir Philip has visited the ranch since
Sir Philip Green has a £2m home at Canyon Ranch
that time and has no issues with the management or any of the people there.”
But Pima County sheriff’s department said a complaint had been made and an inquiry was at an early stage.
Deputy Daniel Jelineo said on Tuesday: “I’m aware of a report made to our department, on the 18th.”
Canyon Ranch said it did The pilates instructor shows stretching skill
not discuss staff matters for employee privacy reasons.
But it added: “We have strict policies and procedures that prohibit inappropriate behaviour and take prompt, remedial action with respect to inappropriate behaviour allegations reported to us.”
The US claims came after ex-female employees who complained of harassment by
Sir Philip were given pay-offs, sometimes amounting to more than £1million.
Three years ago, the House of Commons asked the forfeiture committee to recommend his knighthood be “cancelled and annulled”.
MPs were furious at the BHS collapse and loss of 11,000 jobs, after Sir Philip sold it to a bankrupt for £1.