Sir Philip Green rages in ‘stop looking at me’ showdown as MPs grill him over BHS
Topshop tycoon slams 'open-mouthed' MPs during six-hour hearing over 'mess' that followed collapse of retailer
SNARLING Sir Philip Green slammed MPs probing the BHS collapse yesterday, telling one to stop staring.
In an astonishing six-hour hearing, the billionaire hardman of the high street told another Select Committee man to put on his glasses as it made him look better.
He left MPs open-mouthed by demanding co-chair Frank Field get “your lady” — Labour’s Karen Buck — to stop giving him a hard time.
At one point Sir Philip broke off his answers to tell Tory backbencher Richard Fuller to “stop staring” as it was putting him off.
SNP MP Mhairi Black tweeted: “The arrogance and sexism is astonishing! Feel like I’m listening to Del Boy giving evidence.”
Sir Philip also claimed he did not move to Monaco with wife Tina in 2000 for tax reasons.
He said it followed a health scare, adding of the idea: “Somebody suggested it. I’d never spent a day there before. We had a look, met the people and decided to stay.”
The showdown came as MPs investigate why BHS collapsed with a £571million pension black hole in April.
A year earlier Sir Philip sold it for £1 to twice-bankrupt playboy Dominic Chappell.
Sir Philip, whose family took more than £400million in dividends from the firm, said he wished he never sold it to Mr Chappell. He also said “stupid, idiotic” decisions were made.
Flanked by lawyers and PR spinners, he said he hoped to “sort” the shortfall facing 22,000 BHS pensioners and revealed talks had begun over a deal.
A source said this could see his Arcadia Group pumping up to £275million into the fund.
But while apologising, saying “nothing is more sad than how this ended”, he refused to accept responsibility, blaming bankers and his own advisers.
WIFE FACES QUIZ
Lady Tina Green could be hauled before the committee after co-chairs Iain Wright and Frank Field said they wanted more detail on firms she owns.
Tina, who owns Arcadia through a Jersey company, got £53million from the sale of the BHS HQ.
Sir Philip yesterday told MPs he did not look at her firms’ accounts. He agreed to appear only on the understanding that she would not be needed.
Incredibly, given his attention to detail — he once negotiated a new deal for coat-hangers at BHS — he said he had no idea about the state of the pension pot.
Failing to recall a meeting with Pensions Minister Steve Webb in 2012, he added: “Which part of ‘don’t remember’ do you find difficult?
And he blasted critics who say he should have done more to save BHS, saying he was being treated like a murderer.
Asked by co-chair Iain Wright if his ego meant he blocked a rescue, he stormed: “That’s disgusting, out of order and you should apologise.”
After waving his chequebook, he snapped: “Envy and jealously my doctor told me are two incurable diseases. I’m a big boy. I can take it.”
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Clearly irritated by Jeremy Quin as the Tory MP pored over the BHS finances he snapped: “No good you looking at me like that. Put your glasses back on, you’ll look better.”
With 11,000 jobs at BHS on the line he added that he wanted to draw a line as he had to “get back to work” at Arcadia, saying: “I’ve been out of work for four weeks.”
He added: “I just want to apologise to all the BHS people.”
SUN SAYS
How could a boss not notice a half-billion pound hole in his firm’s pension fund? It beggars belief.
It is at least a crumb of comfort that Green intends to “sort” the problem for 22,000 pensioners.
They had better get every penny they’re due.
If not, he should lose his knighthood. And that’s just for starters.