Sir Philip Green hires top lawyer to scrutinise MPs’ inquiry into the collapse of BHS
Sir Philip Green has hired top barrister Lord Pannick to scrutinise the MPs' inquiry into the collapse of BHS, according to reports.
The Sunday Times has said Green wants the top lawyer to write a report on the joint select committee investigation into the sale of BHS that branded him the "unacceptable face of capitalism".
MPs will debate BHS' collapse on Thursday and will vote on whether Green's knighthood should be rescinded. Although the vote would be non-binding, a vote in favour of removing his honour would put pressure on the Honour Forfeiture Committee – chaired by the head of the civil service – to take action.
Read more: Sir Philip Green faces grilling when MPs debate BHS' collapse next Thursday
Chair of the work and pensions select committee, Frank Field, said he thought MPs would back the motion "overwhelmingly" because "there is certainly a lot of anger in the country over his knighthood".
Now that the BHS pension scheme is under the stewardship of the Pension Protection Fund, BHS pensioners will face a 10 per cent cut to their pensions. Green, however, has promised to "sort" the question of the BHS pension scheme.
Lord Pannick declined to comment and Green's spokesman said he had not been informed of a report. Green said he was unable to talk to Morning Wire.