Harrison: UK boss held ‘grudge’ over ‘fling’

Amber Harrison says a former employer in London, has held ‘a very long grudge’ after the pair ‘had a fling’.

Amber Harrison has rejected allegations made against her by a former employer in London.

Former Seven West executive assistant Amber Harrison, who is at the centre of the workplace sex and bullying scandal engulfing the media company’s boss Tim Worner, has rejected allegations made against her by a former employer in London, which she claims are the result of “a very long grudge” after the two “had a fling” 16 years ago.

Ms Harrison said yesterday she had a brief workplace relationship with Justin Homewood, the founder and managing director of bathroom fittings company The Water Monopoly, where she worked as a temp for four months in 2001 when she was 24.

“Homewood and I had a fling. It ended. Quite clearly, he has held a very long grudge. I’m guilty of poor choices in men,” Ms Harrison said.

Mr Homewood has alleged thousands of pounds went missing during Ms Harrison’s time at his company, including booking unauthorised travel out of London before she disappeared from the group.

Mr Homewood was yesterday unavailable for comment. An employee at The Water Monopoly in London said Mr Homewood was now on holiday in Mexico and would not return to London until April 18.

However, his accountant Jennie Staunton said last night from London that she could “categorically deny there was any ­personal relationship between him and Amber Harrison” despite his being uncontactable in Mexico.

Ms Harrison said yesterday she had a brief workplace relationship with Justin Homewood, pictured. Picture: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

Ms Harrison said her old boss had been aware of and authorised the travel arrangements, which enabled a quick exit after their liaison was discovered at a work Christmas party.

Mr Homewood — who previously told The Australian his “moral compass” had urged him to speak out 16 years after the alleged theft — did not reply to questions sent by email about the alleged relationship, its demise or the travel.

Seven West commercial director Bruce McWilliam said yesterday that neither SWM, its associate Seven Group Holdings nor any representative of billionaire chairman Kerry Stokes had had any contact with Mr Homewood and or any of his employees or representatives at The Water Monopoly.

Mr McWilliam said neither SWM, SGH nor representatives of Kerry Stokes had paid for any information concerning Ms Harrison’s time at The Water Monopoly or provided any other benefits in return for information.

Separately, the legal dispute between Seven and Ms Harrison returns to the NSW Supreme Court today.