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Insider UK
Insider UK
Business
Peter A Walker

BrewDog boss apologises, but hits back at BBC claims

BrewDog's chief executive has apologised about his behaviour, but hit out at "rumours and misinformation" contained within a BBC documentary which was aired earlier this week.

On an online investors' forum, James Watt said that "false claims" in the programme were upsetting and damaging, but "truly apologised" to anyone he made feel uncomfortable.

The Disclosure show followed up on allegations of a toxic work culture at the Ellon-headquartered brewer made by around 300 former and current employees in an open letter last summer.

It contained allegations from former BrewDog USA workers who said Watt's behaviour meant female bartenders were advised how to avoid unwelcome attention from him, saying his conduct made them feel "powerless".

The documentary also suggested that he took women on private, late-night brewery tours, leaving them feeling uncomfortable.

Following the broadcast on Monday evening, Watt tweeted that the BBC had published claims which were false and that he would be "forced to take legal action against to protect my reputation".

Yesterday, he wrote to investors to explain that he sometimes "dates" when he is in the US, adding that he had taken friends, relatives and dates on tours of the brewery in Canal Winchester, Ohio - something he did not consider inappropriate.

"More importantly, I hugely regret anyone feeling in any way uncomfortable around me, as the programme set out.

"This is absolutely the last thing I want and something I will learn from immediately, I truly apologise to anyone who felt that way, this was never my intention.

"However, I would argue that people feeling uncomfortable around me based on false rumours and misinformation does not represent inappropriate behaviour on my behalf."

Watt added: "I am trying to be a better leader, and to be far more mindful of the impact I have on our team when I am on site."

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