Topshop boss could lose knighthood, hints the PM

THERESA May yesterday hinted that Philip Green could lose his knighthood.

A move to strip the Topshop tycoon of the honour may also be backed by Labour amid allegations that he bullied staff.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs May said if a ‘recipient of an honour brings that honour into disrepute, steps should be taken to review that honour’.

She added: ‘There is a forfeiture process for that purpose.’

Sir Philip is accused of groping a female employee and making a racial slur at another. He tried to stop newspapers reporting on non-disclosure agreements signed by the alleged victims.

Mrs May was responding to a question from Tory former minister George Freeman. He said a small minority of recipients of honours like Philip Green ‘had brought the system of honours and business into disrepute for being found to have behaved disgracefully’. He suggested the Government should look at whether those who behave especially badly should be stripped of their honour.

A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also backed stripping the knighthood from Sir Philip if the claims are proven. He strenuously denies the allegations.