The founder of BrewDog is threatening to sue the BBC in excess of claims the broadcaster obtained private information and facts by “underhand means”.
James Watt is also pursuing authorized motion against the publicly owned broadcaster next a sequence of allegations in the BBC’s Disclosure documentary.
Previous workers in the United States claimed Mr Watt built woman employees experience “uncomfortable” and “powerless”.
The hour-extensive programme incorporated a collection of other allegations, together with claims that Mr Watt had invested £500,000 in Heineken, the Dutch brewer that the entrepreneur has extended criticised and belittled in advertising and marketing strategies. It also questioned the integrity of BrewDog’s programs to be “carbon negative”.
In a statement to The Telegraph, Mr Watt reported: “I massively regret if some of my team in the US have felt not comfortable around me and I am thoroughly fully commited to creating positive I am normally mindful about how my existence in our bars is a favourable for all people.
“But the own allegations manufactured in opposition to me in the programme ended up completely phony, based mostly on rumour and misinformation. So with reluctance, I want to take motion to secure my standing on the foundation these claims are bogus and defamatory.”
He continued: “Legal motion would be on the basis of the quite a few untrue and defamatory statements in the broadcast.
“We are also taking into consideration elevating supplemental proceedings on the publication of personal own fiscal information and facts that we believe could have been obtained by underhand signifies. The BBC have refused to inform us how they obtained the personal own economical data.”
Twelve former BrewDog Usa staff customers designed allegations of inappropriate conduct by Mr Watt.
The claims provided allegations that employees experienced witnessed the BrewDog founder kissing an intoxicated shopper on a roof terrace bar and that female bartenders have been encouraged how to keep away from unwelcome interest from Mr Watt.
Mr Watt’s law firm instructed the BBC: “This is categorically denied. At no time has Mr Watt given unwelcome focus to any woman bartender. That account is not genuine – this was completely investigated by Centric HC who concluded that there was no material to these promises.”
In the meantime, a person previous employee was still left dumbfounded by the programme’s allegations that Mr Watt owned a £500,000 stake in Heineken.
A BBC spokesman said: “We will defend our journalism. The documentary was good and well balanced and bundled responses from BrewDog’s lawyer. Mr Watt declined our supply to be interviewed for the programme.”
