Black worker told that ‘he was still throwing spears’

Sir Philip Green told a black employee that his “problem” was that he was still “throwing spears in the jungle”, mocked his dreadlocks and accused him of smoking cannabis, it is alleged.

The senior executive complained and was eventually paid close to £1million and forced to sign a controversial gagging order that banned him from discussing his treatment.

The Daily Telegraph can now reveal details of the “vile” comments Sir Philip used to single out the employee after the businessman dropped an injunction against this newspaper.

In the three months since the legal action became public, other staff members – current and former – have come forward to raise concerns about the way the billionaire treated members of ethnic minorities. Some even claimed that there had been discussions on the need to be “careful about hiring” because Sir Philip felt there were “too many black people” in the organisation.

It is understood the billionaire had complained about black receptionists working for the company and said it made the firm look “too ghetto”.

The employee spent more than two decades working for one of the retail brands owned by Arcadia, but former colleagues have revealed that, eventually, the abuse became too much for him.

They have told The Telegraph that in one meeting the Topshop owner’s gaze became fixated on the employee’s head. Squinting his eyes and making faint murmurings, it was as if he was trying to work something out.

Then, after a few minutes, the businessman looked at his employee and barked, “What the f--- have you got on your head?”

The question was bemusing to staff in the room. He was not wearing a hat or scarf. The employee was clearly confused by the question and attempted to ask his boss what he meant.

An aggressive exchange followed and, according to those with knowledge of the incident, someone clarified that Sir Philip appeared to be talking about the employee’s hair, which was braided in dreadlocks.

The tone and nature of the questions made many in the room feel uncomfortable, and it was not the only time that Sir Philip appeared to exhibit questionable behaviour towards this particular employee.

On several occasions, the businessman allegedly assumed the employee would smoke cannabis – an assumption the employee felt was based on his skin colour and choice of hairstyle.

Then, in June 2016, Sir Philip arrived at the company’s office with the forthcoming European Union referendum on his mind. He had been driven to work by his chauffeur and, according to those in the meeting on the bright June morning, appeared to believe his driver would be an “out” supporter. The businessman then started to question the man about which way he was likely to vote.

According to those present, Sir Philip appeared to believe his Arcadia employee would be voting the same way as his chauffeur, an assumption that appeared to be based on the fact that both men were black.

Since The Telegraph published that there were allegations made against Sir Philip, others have come forward to recount an occasion when he told the same employee: “The problem with you … is that everyone else is firing guns and you’re still throwing spears in the jungle.”

It is understood many of these incidents were raised in a complaint by the employee shortly before he left the company in 2017. An employment tribunal claim for race discrimination was issued against Arcadia and Sir Philip personally.

In May 2017, the complaint had been withdrawn and the employee was paid close to £1million by Arcadia.

When he was approached about the abuse he had suffered, the man refused to comment.

But a colleague, who had worked for the company for more than 10 years, said Sir Philip behaved in a “vile” and apparently racist manner, while others said that he “may have thought he was being funny but the language was shocking”.

Sources have told The Telegraph that these were not the only examples of alleged racist outbursts by Sir Philip.

According to employees who have worked with the businessman for decades, Sir Philip was known for making inappropriate or xenophobic comments about staff or visitors.

When a Chinese businessman arrived at the company’s headquarters three years ago, one employee said Sir Philip looked at him and asked: “What do you think Mr Ching Chong Charlie?”

A second employee confirmed Sir Philip had boasted about the comment afterwards in front of a room full of people. They said he laughed at the “nickname” he had given the businessman.

Another staff member was allegedly called “Bhaji” and “Curry” because of her Indian heritage. Others allege that in making comments about another Indian woman’s weight, he asked her if she had “eaten too many samosas”.

It is not the first time Sir Philip has landed himself in hot water with comments that have been perceived as xenophobic.

In 2003, he had to apologise to the Irish after suggesting that they were illiterate in a rant at a journalist.

And, in October, two days after being named in Parliament as the businessman granted an injunction against The Telegraph, he was forced to deny racially abusing Filipino crew members on his superyacht.

Sir Philip has denied any “unlawful … racist behaviour”.