Primark boss RESIGNS after admitting 'error of judgement' amid 'behaviour' allegations

It said the incident related to "his behaviour towards (a woman) in a social environment".

Chief executive of ABF George Weston said: "I am immensely disappointed.

"At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential. Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long-term."

The company said Marchant co-operated with the investigation, "acknowledged his error of judgment and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected by ABF."

They added: "He has made an apology to the individual concerned, the ABF Board and also to his Primark colleagues and others connected to the business."

ABF stressed that it will continue to offer support to the individual who brought the incident to its attention.

Weston added: "Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual."

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ABF’s finance director Eoin Tonge will now act as interim boss of Primark, the company confirmed.

The firm's financial controller, Joana Edwards, will step into Tonge's role.

A spokesman for the company said: "Both executives have the experience to perform these roles well."

ABF's share price fell by nearly four per cent to £18.64 each after the announcement, reports the BBC.

Marchant had previously worked for Topman and Debenhams before joining Primark as chief operating officer in 2009. He became chief executive later that same year, taking over from Primark founder Arthur Ryan.

The chain was launched in Dublin in 1969 under the name Penneys by Ryan. The first English shop opened in Derby in 1974.

Primark made a profit of £1.108 billion on sales of £9.45 billion in 2024.

The budget fashion brand has more than 450 stores across Britain, employs more than 30,000 colleagues and serves millions of customers every week.