An unnamed senior mining executive sexually harassed a female staffer from Gumtree and HotCopper operator, The Market Herald, at the house of the company director Gavin Argyle, according to fresh allegations made in the bitter feud for control of the Perth-based business publication.

Former Market Herald managing director Jag Sanger has alleged in the Federal Court that Mr Argyle ordered the unlawful surveillance of his and the female employee’s emails shortly after he escalated her complaint about harassment during a private function at Mr Argyle’s home.