The billionaire chairman of Premier Investments has made a series of jaw-dropping allegations involving the Smiggle boss who was fired for alleged serious misconduct a year ago.

Solomon Lew said that John Cheston - now the CEO of jewellery chain Lovisa - encouraged a culture of drinking and gambling with staff and returning to work intoxicated, saying there was an ongoing investigation.

Rebekah Giles, Mr Cheston's legal representative, denied the allegations and suggested they were motivated by bitterness that he had left Premier.

"To the extent that this latest rant is about Mr Cheston, it is simply untrue," she said in a statement.

Lovisa has also been approached for comment.

Premier Investment's Just Group fired Mr Cheston in September 2024, three months after he gave his required

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