The founder and chief executive of fashion chain Ted Baker has taken voluntary leave after becoming embroiled in harassment allegations.

Ray Kelvin, who studied at JFS, was accused of a pattern of harassment, including making new staff hug him and getting women sit on his lap.

He opted to take a "voluntary leave of absence" after the Sunday Times presented the company with claims by a former employee that Mr Kelvin had assaulted her.

The company told the paper an independent investigation into the matter, to be conducted by City law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, would "consider all relevant matters which have been or are notified to the company".

He opened his first store in 1988 and Ted Baker now has 544 stores worldwide. He is famously reluctant to be photographed in a bid to maintain the illusion that Ted Baker was a real person.

Mr Kelvin is a lifelong Spurs fan who was made a CBE in the 2010 New Year's Honours for services to fashion, after 30 years in the business.

He said at the time: "I learnt so much from my beloved parents, from working in the family business as a youngster, and would like to thank them for their unswerving and generous support.

"My recently departed mum would have loved this occasion and I know they're all looking down at me with real pride right now. This one's not an 'ology,' Mum."