Sir Philip Green was tracked down and confronted by TV crews on Friday for the first time since he was named as the businessman at the centre of sex pest claims.
The Topshop owner was found at the Canyon Ranch health resort in Tuscon, Arizona – a site popular with Hollywood stars – but refused to answer questions as he was quizzed by Sky News reporter Greg Milam.
It comes hours after it emerged Sir Philip Green allegedly paid employees seven-figure sums to hush up allegations of sexual harassment and racism allegations.
Sir Philip released a statement saying he ‘cateogrically and wholly denies’ allegations of ‘unlawful sexual or racist behaviour’.
The Daily Mail managed to photograph Sir Philip enjoying a walk on the resort yesterday as Sky News also tracked down the the billionaire in the afternoon.
Wearing a T-shirt and shorts along with a white towel over his shoulder, Sir Philip tried to grab a Sky News producer’s mobile phone as they recorded the incident.
Sir Philip said: ‘You need to leave.’
He added ‘Can you go away?’ and ‘I believe you’re being intrusive.’
Sir Philip Green was confronted by Sky News at a popular health resort in Arizona on Friday
The Topshop owner was whisked away by a member of staff at the resort
Hiking through the hills of Arizona, this is Sir Philip Green pictured for the first time since he was named as the businessman at the centre of sexist allegations
Sir Philip then turned around and got into a golf buggy before driving away as a member of staff got between the reporters and the billionaire.
Last night the Guardian claimed Sir Philip paid huge sums to some of his accusers in order to stop the allegations becoming public.
Among some of the serious claims put towards him include Sir Philip calling women ‘sweetheart’, ‘darling’ or love’ instead of their names and also calling other female employees overweight.
He is also alleged to have crept up behind women in the corridors and touching staff members awkwardly.
The 66-year-old is also claimed to have gone into meeting and asked if there were any ‘naughty girls’ that ‘needed their bottoms slapped’.
He was pictured on the phone while walking through the Sabino Canyon recreation area on Friday
The Canyon Ranch luxury resort where Sir Philip Green is believed to be staying. The resort is all inclusive with smoothies, healthy snacks and low calories meals all on tap
In a statement after he was named in parliament as the businessman behind an injunction against the Daily Telegraph, he said: ‘I am not commenting on anything that has happened in court or was said in Parliament today.
‘To the extent that it is suggested that I have been guilty of unlawful sexual or racist behaviour, I categorically and wholly deny these allegations.
‘Arcadia and I take accusations and grievances from employees very seriously and in the event that one is raised, it is thoroughly investigated.
‘Arcadia employs more than 20,000 people and in common with many large businesses sometimes receives formal complaints from employees.
‘In some cases these are settled with the agreement of all parties and their legal advisers.
‘These settlements are confidential so I cannot comment further on them.’
The Daily Mail can reveal the tycoon jetted off to Tucson, Arizona, on Monday from Los Angeles, California, just before the explosive allegations of sexual harassment and racial abuse emerged.
Stress management classes or time with onsite nurses with tips on how to improve health are also available at the resort (pictured)
The Daily Mail can reveal the tycoon jetted off to Tucson, Arizona, on Monday from Los Angeles, California. Pictured: Stock image of Sir Philip Green’s jet
The shamed Topshop owner has previously told of how he goes to Canyon Ranch to unwind – spending three hours a day on a treadmill, playing tennis and eating healthily.
He has built his own home on the 150-acre estate. It has nine bedrooms and a swimming pool and looks onto Willow Canyon and the grounds of the stunning Santa Catalina nature reserve. In an interview in 2010, Sir Philip said of his stay at Canyon Ranch: ‘To have time, space. It was spectacular. There were blue skies, you’re walking and see mountains.
‘I had time to think in an open space and was in a completely different zone. I was going there to get healthy and do something I wanted to do, that I really need to make time for.’
Sir Philip is now facing calls for him to be stripped of his knighthood (pictured wearing it with his wife Tina in 2006)
The Green family are pictured here enjoying a holiday in Greece with Chloe’s boyfriend Jeremy Meeks, second right
The couple’s daughter Chloe, centre, is also often in the limelight through her relationship with the ‘Hot Felon’ Jeremy Meeks
He said he spends his days at Canyon Ranch ‘working out’.
Previous guests at the spa have included Hollywood star Julia Roberts and chat show host Oprah Winfrey.
Yesterday as a legal battle raged on, Sir Philip went walking at Seven Falls, a hiking trail minutes from his house, outside Canyon Ranch. Although the resort is largely phone free, with a focus on disconnecting from the world and with allocated areas to make calls, Sir Philip was glued to his mobile as he walked through the nearby national park.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, running shorts and trainers, he walked for several hours, it is believed.
The resort is all inclusive with smoothies, healthy snacks and low calories meals all on tap.
Dishes do not contain salt and the menu provides a detailed breakdown of the contents in each option. Alcohol is not available anywhere on site.
Stress management classes or time with onsite nurses with tips on how to improve health are also available.
Last night, Sir Philip did not answer the door at his home when approached by the Daily Mail.
MailOnline has approached representatives of Sir Philip for comment.
Sir Philip, pictured with Kate Moss, previously had trouble when in charge of discount retailer Amber Day in the early 1990s, which he resigned as chairman of after poor financial results
Green, pictured with disgraced Hollywood executive Harvey Weinstein in 2009. There is no suggestion Sir Philip is linked to any of the allegations made about Weinstein
Sir Philip lives a glamorous lifestyle, mixing with the country’s top models. There is no suggestion anyone pictured is involved in any of the allegations against him
Sir Philip is also well known for enjoying holidays aboard his £115million yacht Lionheart, pictured, which is often spotted in the Mediterranean
Sir Philip and billionaire wife Lady Tina, pictured on board their previous yacht on the French Riviera in 2014