Three police forces are investigating claims that current and former executives at boohoo Group have been victims of stalking and surveillance.
Reports suggest that co-founder & executive chair Mahmud Kamani (pictured), CEO Dan Finley & former boss John Lyttle were targeted.
Greater Manchester Police said “an investigation is ongoing around stalking involving serious alarm/distress with no arrests made at this stage”.
Kent Police “is investigating reported stalking offences including at locations within the Sevenoaks area… enquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests”.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating reports that a man was followed by unidentified individuals across various locations, including London, between 8th July and 15th August this year.
The Times reported that the alleged incidents involved multiple operatives trailing boohoo executives on public transport, near their homes and outside its Manchester headquarters.
A boohoo spokesman told the publication: “It would be inappropriate to comment whilst a police investigation is ongoing.”
Revolut UK builds out board as it seeks full banking licence
Now security consultancy Control Risks, hired by the online fashion giant, says it has uncovered evidence of a “campaign of extensive hostile surveillance”.
It said it discovered unregistered surveillance equipment outside boohoo’s office in November, which was handed over to the authorities. The Information Commissioner’s Office confirmed that boohoo had informed the watchdog of the development.
Lyttle’s resignation in October after five years as CEO is said to have been influenced by the surveillance ordeal.
Separately, an independent proxy adviser has warned shareholders at boohoo of the “obvious risks” presented by Frasers Group to the company.
Frasers, which owns 27% of boohoo’s shares, is seeking the appointment of its CEO Mike Ashley and Mike Lennon to the company’s board of directors alongside the removal of executive chairman and co-founder Mahmud Kamani.
However, Institutional Shareholder Services, an adviser to boohoo, has urged shareholders to reject Frasers’ proposals at a general meeting on 20th December.
‘Why does Frasers want to install insolvency expert at boohoo?’