Seven takes out injunction against Amber Harrison to stop release of confidential documents
Seven West Media has today obtained an interim, ex parte injunction in the Supreme Court of NSW against former employee – and the woman at the centre of the sex scandal with current CEO Tim Worner – Amber Harrison, as the network looks to stem the tide of documents, letters and receipts she has been releasing on Twitter.
Harrison came to national attention in December 2016, when she emailed details of an extra-marital affair with Worner, including claims of cover-ups, credit card misuse and bullying within the organisation.
Seven West Media acknowledged the affair, but subsequently launched an investigation into some of the other allegations against Worner, including drug use at company events.
In early February, the investigation cleared Worner of the allegations, with Seven West Media standing by the embattled CEO.
A statement from the company at the time said: “This has been a tumultuous time for the entire company and with the receipt of the independent review this matter can now be brought to a conclusion.”
According to the statement, Worner has been “disciplined by the Chairman [Kerry Stokes] and the Board and provided an undertaking this behaviour will not be repeated, as well as an apology”.
Dissatisfied with the results – calling the report a “whitewash” and a“green light” to male executives to “prey on female staff”, Harrison then took to Twitter to ask questions of Seven West Media board member Jeff Kennett and share her version of the story. This included Tweeting emails relating to the AFP raids on Seven in 2014.
The raids were carried out three years ago under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the police seeking to determine if a deal between Seven and the Corby family broke Australian laws.
Today, Seven West Media announced it had obtained the injunction against Harrison “releasing documents or information that is the property of the company, which she appears to have taken before she left her employment and which she has retained without authority and in breach of her employment obligations”, a statement from the group said.
“It became clear late last week that Ms Harrison is now releasing or divulging commercial ‘in confidence’ emails and other documents that she has no right to hold, access or release.
“These documents extend beyond the scope of the other dispute Ms Harrison has with SWM.”
Seven West Media is seeking the relief based on breaches of the Settlements Deeds and violations of obligations of confidentiality arising under the general law, the Corporations Act and her former contract of employment.
The court will consider the matter further tomorrow, Tuesday February 14.
It never ceases to amaze me, how such a stir can arise and quickly escalate, whenever sex between consenting adults occurs.
You can pick up the phone, and rent it by the hour, you can find it at office parties and even ( from time to time) in the little back room or the stationery locker. yet once news of it leaks to the public, it brings all the moralists and personally offended out of the woodwork, and stimulates politics and legal action, funds for lawyers and journalists, and a range of general excitement.
SEX! After weaning, toilet training, and primary schooling, it is what most people ( all but a few) actually do for almost, if not all of the balance of their lives.
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I find your continued reference to this matter as a “sex scandal” demeaning and inappropriate. The phrase incorrectly characterises the issue, which is all to do with corporate accountability and misuse of power. It diminishes the role of Ms Harrison to that of a concubine or worse. I honestly expected better of Mumbrella, please reflect on whether this tone in your editorial coverage aligns with the frequent positions you (quite rightly) appear to support on sexism in the media and advertising industry.
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