Monday 25 February 2019 3:33 pm | Updated: Monday 03 June 2019 12:14 am

MPs ratchet up the pressure on Sir Philip Green after Karren Brady resignation

Sir Philip Green’s retail empire is facing the renewed scrutiny of politicians this afternoon after Baroness Karren Brady resigned from her role as chair of Arcadia.

Brady, who had vowed weeks ago to stay in her post out of "a real sense of duty", has stepped down as non-executive chairman of Taveta, the holding company for Green’s Arcadia group.

While no reason was given for Brady’s decision, the move has come after mounting pressure on the Apprentice judge to quit in the wake of allegations against Green of sexual harassment and racial abuse, which he denies.

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, who has called for Green to lose his knighthood, told City PM: "She has decided she can’t defend the indefensible."

Cable added: "The remaining apologists will almost certainty go the same way".

The comments come amid breaking news that an influential committee of MPs has summoned the Topshop tycoon to give evidence to Parliament over the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA).

The Women and Equalities Select Committee's chair Maria Miller wrote to Philip Green on 14 February inviting him to appear before the committee to face questions over NDAs, a type of prohibitive contract used to protect the confidentiality of individuals.

The news, first reported by The Sun, comes after the Daily Telegraph reported last year that a number of Green’s staff had signed NDAs in return for "substantial" payoffs.

It is understood that Green has received the letter and the committee is currently awaiting a response.

Earlier today Labour MP Jess Phillips also told the Evening Standard: "Karren Brady will still have to answer to what went on under her watch and so she should, but it is Green who is ultimately responsible and like always it feels like powerful men can get away with anything."

Sir Philip Green declined to comment.