Boohoo executives have allegedly been the victims of stalking and surveillance outside their offices and homes, according to reports.
Police in Manchester and Kent are investigating stalking offences, including ones involving “serious alarm and distress”, which The Times reported were aimed at several senior Boohoo bosses.
Boohoo CEO Dan Finley, former CEO John Lyttle and co-founder Mahmud Kamani were allegedly followed by men on public transport and in other public spaces in recent months.
Dan Finley, CEO at Boohoo
Lyttle allegedly found two trespassers on his property, and Kamani was reportedly assaulted by one of the people. The incidents reportedly happened in Kent and Manchester.
Executives were also allegedly watched from outside their homes and unregistered surveillance equipment was found outside Boohoo’s Manchester headquarters on 13 November, according to the report.
A spokesman for Kent Police said officers were “investigating reported stalking offences including at locations within the Sevenoaks area. Inquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests”.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “An investigation is ongoing around stalking involving serious alarm/distress with no arrests made at this stage.”
Mahmud Kamani
Police declined to comment on whether individuals linked to any named organisation were being investigated or believed to be responsible.
The claims come amid an escalating boardroom row between Boohoo and Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which holds a 28% stake in the fast fashion firm. Ashley had been seeking to install himself as Boohoo’s chief executive after Lyttle stepped down.
After Finley was chosen instead, Frasers urged Boohoo shareholders to oust Kamani instead and replace him with Ashley as chairman.
Boohoo recently said its half-year losses tripled, before raising about £39.3 million through an investor cash call. In October, the retailer announced plans for a strategic review, sparking speculation about a potential break-up of the business.
Boohoo Group also includes, among others, the brands PrettyLittleThing, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Warehouse, Wallis, Karen Millen, Oasis and Coast, as well as online department store Debenhams.
A Boohoo spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment whilst a police investigation is ongoing.”
Reporting: PA
