Nov 2nd, 2018
Sir Philip Green
By Becca McCarthy
Sir Philip Green has been exposed as the businessmen accused of sexual harassment, racism and bullying. [1] The billionaire tried to buy his alleged victims’ silence – and gag British newspapers from revealing the truth to the public at the same time. [2]
Philip Green reportedly used Non-Disclosure Agreements to stop his victims from speaking out about the sexual harassment, racist abuse and bullying they allegedly faced. [3] It meant because he was a billionaire, Philip Green could pay to keep people quiet.
This scandal is now at fever pitch. [4] Already, MPs are calling on the government to change the rules on Non-Disclosure Agreements to stop people like Philip Green buying their way out of trouble. [5] A huge petition would prove to the government that the public expect them to act fast.
If you think billionaire businessmen like Philip Green shouldn’t be allowed to buy alleged victims’ silence, will you add your name to the petition now? It’ll take less than 30 seconds:
British newspapers tried to report on this cover-up – but they were stopped. Philip Green reportedly paid up to half a million pounds to keep them quiet. [6] The only reason he has been exposed is because of a Parliamentary loophole. [7]
Our laws should be there to protect people from abuse, harassment and bullying. They shouldn’t be exploited by the most rich and powerful in our society.
This scandal could be the moment these rules change for good. But we’ll only convince the government to act fast if they know the public expect them to.
NOTES:
[1] BBC News: Philip Green named over harassment claims:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45981436
The Telegraph (paywall): Watch as Sir Philip Green is named in Parliament as businessman at centre of Britain’s #MeToo scandal:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/25/watch-sir-philip-green-named-parliament-businessman-centre-britains/
Sky News: Sir Philip Green named as businessman behind newspaper injunction:
https://news.sky.com/story/sir-philip-green-named-as-businessman-behind-daily-telegraph-injunction-11535325
[2] The Independent: Philip Green named in parliament as businessman who gagged media from publishing sexual harassment allegations:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/philip-green-injunction-sexual-harassment-businessman-metoo-parliamentary-privilege-lord-campbell-a8601256.html
[3] The Telegraph (paywall): Non-disclosure agreements: Everything you need to know about NDAs (and their misuse):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/non-disclosure-agreements-everything-need-know-ndas-misuse/
ITV news: What are non-disclosure agreements?:
https://www.itv.com/news/2018-10-24/what-are-non-disclosure-agreements/
[4] See notes 1 and 2
[5] Maria Miller, who chairs the Commons Women and Equality committee, said it was “shocking” that Non-Disclosure Agreements were still being used to gag victims and should not be used “where there are accusations of sexual misconduct and wider bullying”. Read more here:
The Telegraph (paywall): The British #MeToo scandal which cannot be revealed:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/23/british-metoo-scandal-cannot-revealed/
The Fawcett Society: Non-disclosure agreements: A license to harass with impunity:
https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/blog/non-disclosure-agreements-a-license-to-harass-with-impunity
[6] Sky News: Sir Philip Green named as businessman behind Daily Telegraph injunction:
https://news.sky.com/story/sir-philip-green-named-as-businessman-behind-daily-telegraph-injunction-11535325
[7] The Telegraph (paywall): Watch as Sir Philip Green is named in Parliament as businessman at centre of Britain’s #MeToo scandal:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/25/watch-sir-philip-green-named-parliament-businessman-centre-britains/
