Multi-millionaire tycoon accused of sexual assault is allowed to keep his name secret

‘I was used like a rag doll

A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE has been granted a gagging order preventing the media from naming him after he was accused of sexual harassment and assault in an employment tribunal case.

The businessman, identified only as Mr X, has extensive political and society connections. He agreed large financial settlements with two women before their allegations were heard in court, The Times reported.

The women claimed they were groped, forcibly kissed and assaulted in the private office and country residence of the powerful figure, who has been married a number of times and has adult children.

The settlement meant the women had to withdraw their claims of sexual harassment and discrimination and sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).

This prevents them from discussing their allegations in public.

A senior judge ruled last month that reporting restrictions preventing the identification of Mr X, who has always denied the allegations, should be maintained because the millionaire’s ‘ honour and reputation’ took precedence over the principle of open justice.

Mr Justice Soole made reference to an earlier ruling in the case which stated that ‘the fame’ of the businessman was ‘relevant in that there is a much greater risk than usual that family members, charity supporters, investors and acquaintances on both sides would find out about the allegations because they would be reported’.

The businessman’s solicitor had presented arguments about the man’s ‘advanced age; the strain of the proceedings; his bafflement at the allegations; the prominence both of his family and of his role in public life; the effect of the publication of his allegations on his wife and adult children; his business interests; and his work for a range of good causes’.

Gagging orders were previously used by US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and billionaire businessman Sir Philip Green to silence staff who made allegations about their behaviour.

Witness statements from men and women who worked for Mr X outlined details of physical assaults, bullying and ill-treatment they suffered, The Times reported. One woman claimed the businessman had forced his mouth on hers and touched her breast a year before orally raping her in his private office in 2016.

She said: ‘ My eyes were closed and I was paralysed with fear, terrified, disorientated and used like a rag doll, totally incapacitated and unable to escape...

‘[He] went on to tell me how much he cared about me and then in the next breath that “if I kept my mouth shut” I could remain employed and he would look after me.’

Another woman claimed he had groped her breast, asked her for a ‘cuddle’ and tried to force his tongue into her mouth on two occasions in 2017.

He reportedly said, ‘I know I shouldn’t do things like that but it’s only that I care for you,’ and later gave her a £20 note.

A male junior manager also reported that the businessman hit him on two occasions and ‘forcibly shaved’ him in front of his colleagues after taking exception to the length of his beard.

A senior manager added: ‘I can confidently say that he has been the worst employer I have experienced in my 38-year working life.’