Ex-BHS Worker: Sir Philip Must Return To UK To Sort Pension Mess

Sir Philip Green has been urged to stop "swanning about" on his yacht, get on a private plane and sort out the BHS crisis.

Despite promising MPs (BSE: MPSLTD.BO - news) two months ago that he would "sort" the pensions blackhole caused by the high street chain collapse, Sir Philip has taken no action, the co-chairman of the BHS Inquiry Committee Iain Wright has told Sky News.

Instead, he has been holidaying on his newly built £100m super yacht around the Greek islands.

Mr Wright said it had been a "frustratingly slow" delay for a "deal-maker" who could "buy and sell companies in a matter of days".

He said there was a stark contrast between the 20,000 people facing reductions in their pensions and footage of Sir Philip on his third yacht.

And added: "There will be people who have worked long and hard for many, many years at BHS who, given the stresses and strains of the past few months, would love a holiday."

His comments come after Sir Philip reacted angrily to attempts by Sky News to question him over the closure of BHS and the loss of thousands of jobs as his yacht docked on a Greek island.

When correspondent David Bowden approached Sir Philip on Ithaca, the billionaire threatened to call the police before lunging for the camera and shouting: "That's going in the f****** sea."

Ex-store manager Lin Macmillan told Sky News the retail tycoon should be sorting out the failed firm's pension black hole rather than "swanning around" on a luxury holiday.

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) said Sir Philip, who is facing calls to be stripped of his knighthood over his role in the collapse of the high street chain, should consider selling one of his yachts to come good on his pension promises.

:: Go Away! Sir Philip's Anger At BHS Questions

Mrs Macmillan said: "What he needs to do is to get on his private plane and fly back to the UK and get into serious meetings with the pensions regulator because that's what he promised he would do to MPs two months ago and there's been little sign of any action since then."

She added: "We would hope that the man has a conscience and that he would dig deep into his pockets, if necessary sell one of his yachts, and bail out the pension fund to help those people who worked so hard for BHS over the years."

The businessman has been criticised by BHS staff, unions and some MPs for selling the store chain for £1 to former bankrupt Dominic Chappell - who in turn called in receivers.

The collapse of BHS in April has affected 11,000 jobs, 22,000 pensions and led to a long parliamentary inquiry.
Sir Philip told a select committee hearing earlier this year he would "sort" the pension issue.

He has borne the brunt of the public fallout, having been branded the "unacceptable face of capitalism" by MPs.

However, Mr Wright has admitted that there is very little the committee can do to make Sir Philip come good on his pensions promise.

On Tuesday thousands of BHS workers were given a stay of execution when it emerged the department store chain's remaining 57 shops will remain open longer than expected.

The deadline for all outlets to close has been extended until 28 August.

The administrators have already overseen 106 closures in recent weeks, with the latest being the flagship store in Oxford Street.

Sir Philip's newly built boat Lionheart is almost as long as a football pitch and has a smaller motor-launch to ferry passengers to and from shore.

It is reported to have a crew of 40 people, including a chef and a dog walker for the family pets (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) .