Amber Harrison fires back, claiming Seven’s probe into CEO’s conduct gives green light for men to ‘prey on female staff’
Amber Harrison, the woman at the centre of the sex scandal involving married Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner, has described the independent inquiry into allegations of drug use and affairs with stars as a “whitewash”, saying the ruling is a “green light” to male executives to “prey on female staff”.
Worner this morning was cleared of misconduct allegations by the SWM board
In a statement provided to Mumbrella, Harrison said she was “disappointed but not surprised by this whitewash by Seven West Media”.
The scandal came to light after Harrison, a former executive assistant to Nick Chan in the media company’s magazine division, went public on her 18-month-relationship with the married executive. In an explosive email, Harrison made a number of claims about Worner’s conduct during and after their relationship.
An inquiry was ordered by the SWM board at the end of last year after it was revealed it had held four emergency meetings in the space of three days to discuss the sex scandal involving Worner.
This morning the SWM board cleared Worner of allegations of misconduct including drug use and misuse of corporate credit card expenses, noting “Mr Worner did not have any involvement in the way the company dealt with Ms Harrison after the relationship between them became known by the company” and “the allegations of illicit drug use by Mr Worner could not be substantiated”.
Harrison said in a statement: “At my interview with Allens Linklater I provided explicit evidence to show that Mr Worner misused his credit card in the pursuit of his relationship with me and that he used cocaine when he was with me at work functions and events.
“The claims by Seven that these allegations cannot be substantiated are a joke.”
Harrison described the investigation – which included interviews with current and former executives and employees relevant to the allegations – as “superficial”.
“While the investigation has been characterised by Seven as ‘thorough’ and having considered all relevant circumstances, the interview I had with the investigating team demonstrated that it was superficial, deliberately limited in scope and designed to achieve the predetermined outcome it has delivered.”
Harrison argued the “the lesson for women is don’t work for Seven West Media and don’t expect to be treated equally or with respect”.
“Male executives at Seven West Media have just been given a green light to prey on female staff, and if there is any objection Seven will smash you with their legal juggernaut,” she said.
Harrison claimed there are “several senior women” at Seven who have “expressed their dismay and disgust directly to Ryan Stokes at the way in which this matter has been handled”.
She suggested the ruling leaves shareholders with several questions, including why Sheila McGregor “suddenly resigned yesterday from the board of Seven West Media on the same day that the board received the report from Allens Linklater”.
Harrison noted she is now considering her legal options “to ensure that Seven honours its obligations….and sets the record straight for shareholders and employees”.
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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I think Amber Harrison is right in that the report probably white-washed Tim Worner’s credit card misuse and drug taking at work. However I fail to see how it encourages senior male staff to prey on female staff. She was a consenting adult who had an affair with a married man, not a woman taken advantage of. Conflating her situation with women’s rights in the workplace isn’t right. It reminds me of Peta Credlin blaming her appalling performance on a lack of respect for women.
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What a shame and and embarrassment, I am disgusted and saddened to live in a society that can treat women, or anyone this way.
Total disgust at the “investigation” outcome.
Shame on you all. Misogyny lives @7
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Here we go… another female playing the victim game, I certainly have no sympathy for either you Amber or Tim, you are both a disgrace and selfish, the only victim here is Tim Worner’s wife and their children, if they have any, so Amber go whinge somewhere else.
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@DavidHensilen – no sympathy for Amber? They both did something wrong, but only Amber is sacked and Tim carries on his multi million dollar job.. right, all OK then.. carry on..
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