Karren Brady steps down as chair of Philip Green’s retail group after sexual misconduct scandal

The businesswoman and Apprentice star had been a director of Taveta Investments since 2010

Karren Brady has resigned as chair of Sir Philip Green’s retail group, weeks after the Topshop boss became embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal.

Ms Brady had been a director at Taveta Investments, the holding company of Sir Philip’s retail empire, since 2010.

She took over as chair in 2017 following the resignation of Anthony Grabiner over the BHS scandal.

The businesswoman, who is also vice chair of West Ham United, previously faced accusations of hypocrisy over her failure to step down from the board despite her past criticism of workplace abuses of power.

Earlier this month, MP Peter Kyle wrote to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick asking her force to investigate claims against the Topshop tycoon, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The newspaper said Sir Philip allegedly groped a female executive and bought her silence with more than £1m. He was also said to have referred to a black employee “throwing spears in the jungle” while drawing attention to his dreadlocks.

It was revealed by the newspaper that five employees had signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to keep their complaints confidential after High Court action against Sir Philip ended.

Sir Philip, owner of retail group Arcadia, denied his behaviour was criminal or amounted to gross misconduct.

The allegations were previously covered up by a court injunction. However, Sir Philip’s involvement was revealed when he was named by Labour peer Lord Hain under parliamentary privilege.