FIVE STAFF AT CENTRE OF RACISM AND SEX CLAIMS

THE businessman at the centre of the injunction row has been accused of sexual harassment and racial abuse of employees.

The senior executive, identified only as ‘ABC’ in court papers, was said to have bullied staff, leading to substantial pay-outs to five former staff.

Sources told the Daily Telegraph his behaviour included humiliating staff in front of their colleagues, and that he created a negative culture within the companies where he worked. Three employees made complaints through their companies’ internal grievance procedures, with two then starting employment tribunal proceedings after their grievances were not upheld. A third employee who had not gone through the internal complaints procedure also started legal proceedings.

In total five alleged victims were given payouts in return for signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and employment tribunal proceedings were dropped. The five, who have not been named, agreed to remain silent about their accusations and how much they had been paid.

The three Appeal Court judges hearing the case – led by Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton – were told the companies involved disputed the most serious allegations.

Each of the alleged victims were asked if they wanted details of their complaints published. One said they were happy for their allegation, and the details of the NDA, to be disclosed provided they were not identified. Another said they were opposed to an injunction, but two supported it, with one saying they wanted to protect their own privacy. The views of the fifth alleged victim were not clear.