PwC International used secretive network rules to put PwC Australia under its control after ruling the tax leaks scandal was causing “ongoing reputational and global brand damage” to the big four professional services firm.

The global network sent a legal letter to PwC Australia last June stating it was a “defaulting firm” under its regulations and ordered the local branch “take all necessary steps” to appoint global partner Kevin Burrowes as interim chief executive, The Australian Financial Review can reveal.