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Cartoon shows Ted Baker culture as being 'sex mad' in the 1990s

Ted Baker is under scrutiny after an online petition accused its founder Ray Kelvin of initiating a “forced hugging” policy along with other claims of ­harassment and bullying   - Getty Images Europe
Ted Baker is under scrutiny after an online petition accused its founder Ray Kelvin of initiating a “forced hugging” policy along with other claims of ­harassment and bullying - Getty Images Europe

A Ted Baker newsletter described the company as “sex mad” and ­contained a cartoon in which a young woman is asked to perform explicit sex acts, The Telegraph can disclose.

The emergence of the pamphlet, ­dating back to the Nineties, will fuel concern the high street fashion chain has fostered a “lads’ culture” stretching over almost three decades.

Ted Baker is under scrutiny after an online petition accused its founder Ray Kelvin of initiating a “forced hugging” policy along with other claims of ­harassment and bullying.

On Friday it emerged Mr Kelvin, the company’s chief executive, had taken a leave of absence following “further ­serious allegations” about his conduct.

The Telegraph disclosed this week how Mr Kelvin had been witnessed shoving an employee in fury after he had not been invited to the man’s ­wedding. It emerged yesterday Mr Kelvin was reprimanded for the incident in 2016 while the employee and his wife-to-be received a settlement from the company – before signing an ­agreement with a gagging clause. The company has engaged an outside law firm to investigate allegations. The latest relates to the cartoon, which charts a young woman’s attempt to get a job at the retailer.

In the agony aunt-style column the woman is asked whether she performs lewd sex acts by the interviewer who then tells her to “get her kit off”.

Part of the cartoon strip depicting an interview at Ted Baker from the 1990s
Part of the cartoon strip depicting an interview at Ted Baker from the 1990s

A source said the manager responsible for the cartoon, which it is ­understood was circulated to staff in its branches, was reprimanded and left the company shortly afterwards.

A manager of a regional branch, who is openly gay, told The Telegraph he was embarrassed when he said Mr Kelvin made a crude comment in front of staff and customers. He said: “On one occasion on a busy Saturday before Christmas, with a queue of people waiting at the till to pay, referring to me he said ‘We used to be drinking mates until he started taking it up the a---’.”

The source said Mr Kelvin was ­“bullying and intimidating” and made “inappropriate comments”.

A source close to Mr Kelvin said they did not recognise either the newsletter or the claim of what he said to the manager. The source pointed out that Mr Kelvin was teetotal so would be unlikely to say they were drinking mates.

A Ted Baker spokesman said: “The investigation will consider all relevant matters which have been or are 

notified to the company. A further ­announcement will be made in due course regarding how current and ­former employees can raise matters for consideration in the investigation. 

“You will understand that until such time as the investigation has been ­undertaken the company will not be in a position to comment on specific ­allegations,” it continued.