Senior executive was ‘dragged around in a headlock’

Sources inside Arcadia revealed how a senior executive complained that Sir Philip was behaving “inappropriately”, including an incident where she was publicly humiliated and assaulted when she was held in a “headlock” by the businessman.

The woman, who worked at a senior level in the company for several years, is understood to have complained about the way she was treated by the billionaire last year. Many of the incidents were witnessed by other employees.

Sources told The Telegraph that, on one occasion, Sir Philip “dragged her around in a headlock” in front of other members of staff. The alleged incident is said to have taken place at a press event two or three years ago.

Dozens of people allegedly witnessed Sir Philip approach the woman and put her in a headlock holding her head close to his chest, “telling her to sort items of clothing out and telling her off ”.

“It was very public and people were absolutely shocked”, said one wellplaced source.

“He was shouting something about T-shirts. He thinks he owns people and can treat people how he likes. Holding someone in a headlock is an awful thing to do”.

Sources told The Telegraph that Sir Philip allegedly “groped” the woman’s waist and stomach in the office.

The alleged incident is understood to have taken place in front of the woman’s colleagues.

Sources with knowledge of the claims made by the woman said that she felt “intimidated” by the alleged behaviour.

It is understood the woman was paid hundreds of thousands of pounds after making a formal complaint.

Lawyers representing Sir Philip also said that he was a “passionate businessman, who can at times be over-exuberant and hot-headed”. They said he could be “perceived at times as aggressive with senior and trusted staff ”.

They added: “It is further denied that any of Sir Philip’s conduct towards employees amounted to any type of crime, or anything that would amount to gross misconduct, or a serious risk to health and safety.”

‘He thinks he owns people... Holding someone in a headlock is an awful thing to do’