Boohoo co-founder with ‘sweatshop’ boss

BOOHOO has been keen to distance itself from suppliers accused of failing to pay staff minimum wage.

But a picture has emerged showing just how close the ties are between the fashion company and the suppliers they have now dropped. The photo shows Boohoo co-founder Mahmud Kamani, on the right, and wife Aisha at a party with Asheem Sobti in 2017, one of a number of times the families have socialised together.

Mr Sobti, 51, is director of Revolution Clothing – one of two companies Boohoo severed relations with last week amid claims staff were paid too little in ‘sweatshops’ and bosses were failing to protect them from coronavirus.

The previously undisclosed relationship will raise further governance concerns for Boohoo.

A spokesman said: ‘Some directors... of the two companies are indeed well-known to members of the Kamani family, but this has had no bearing on ensuring that suppliers meet Boohoo’s code of conduct.’ Mr Sobti did not reply to requests for comment.