‘Dynamite new BHS evidence will make Sir Greed seasick’
MP Field’s amazing deal claims
LEAKED details of Sir Philip Green’s £363million BHS pensions deal will leave the billionaire “seasick”, according to a Labour MP.
Frank Field, who co-led a Commons probe into the collapse of the store chain, claims to have evidence of a settlement in February between the yacht-loving tycoon and the Pensions Regulator.
The MP refused to provide further information for fear of affecting a prosecution against bankrupt Dominic Chappell, who bought BHS from Green for £1 in 2015.
But Mr Field said it was details the regulator refused to give his Commons inquiry, adding: “We now have that information.”
When asked if the evidence was “dynamite”, he replied: “I think so. I think he [Green] might be a little seasick today.”
The suggestion concerns information about the basis for the regulator’s negotiations with the man dubbed Sir Philip Greed.
BHS collapsed last year, costing up to 11,000 jobs and leaving a £571million black-hole in its pension scheme. Green finally offered up to £363million to plug the shortfall, in a deal backed by the BHS pension trustees and the Pension Protection Fund. But Mr Field claimed: “The public believe there was a cosy stitch-up.” He added: “We really needed two things. One was a major leak of papers, which has occurred, and secondly somebody in court who might sing like a canary.” Lesley Titcomb, boss of the Pension Regulator, said throughout discussions with Green the aim was “to achieve the right outcome for members”. There is no suggestion of a stitch-up or of wrong doing in negotiations between Green and the Pension Regulator. Mr Field, who wants Green stripped of his knighthood, branded the Topshop owner “vulgar” after he partied in Greece on his £100million super-yacht Lionheart. The tycoon would not comment last night.