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Coutts star banker in sexual harassment claims | Coutts star banker in sexual harassment claims |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A star banker at Coutts, the private bank used by the Queen, is at the centre of a series of complaints about sexual harassment. | A star banker at Coutts, the private bank used by the Queen, is at the centre of a series of complaints about sexual harassment. |
Harry Keogh was accused of lewd comments, heavy drinking and unwanted physical contact. | Harry Keogh was accused of lewd comments, heavy drinking and unwanted physical contact. |
The Bank said that an investigation had been carried out, and "decisive disciplinary action was taken." | |
Mr Keogh received a final written warning, and is still at Coutts. | |
The investigation started as a review of bank culture at the whole of Coutts, but then centred on Mr Keogh. | |
A Coutts spokesperson said: "When allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made in relation to a particular team within the bank in 2015, an investigation was conducted into those concerns. | A Coutts spokesperson said: "When allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made in relation to a particular team within the bank in 2015, an investigation was conducted into those concerns. |
"The investigation found that within that team, standards had fallen below what we regarded as acceptable. Decisive disciplinary action was taken as a result." | |
The BBC understands that Mr Keogh would not make a comment, but that he takes issue with some of the allegations. | |
According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, a senior Coutts banker, Gayle Schumacher, carried out the investigation of Mr Keogh's team and was "shocked" by what was alleged. | |
The WSJ said that some women had said they would rather resign than have to work with Mr Keogh. | The WSJ said that some women had said they would rather resign than have to work with Mr Keogh. |
Coutts, founded in the seventeenth century, is owned by RBS which itself is still 71% owned by the government after being bailed out during the financial crisis. | Coutts, founded in the seventeenth century, is owned by RBS which itself is still 71% owned by the government after being bailed out during the financial crisis. |
RBS has itself been accused of "pervading sexism". Jayne-Anne Gadhia, a former RBS executive and now chief executive of UK lender Virgin Money, told a Treasury Committee there had been a "very male culture" at RBS which was "win-lose". | RBS has itself been accused of "pervading sexism". Jayne-Anne Gadhia, a former RBS executive and now chief executive of UK lender Virgin Money, told a Treasury Committee there had been a "very male culture" at RBS which was "win-lose". |
She said: "Undoubtedly there was a pervading sexism where I remember a very senior woman being very upset one day telling me that she was expected to sleep with her boss." | She said: "Undoubtedly there was a pervading sexism where I remember a very senior woman being very upset one day telling me that she was expected to sleep with her boss." |
RBS was approached for comment at the time. | RBS was approached for comment at the time. |