Investigations into sacked Smiggle chief executive John Cheston have uncovered allegations of gambling, drinking during office hours, sexual harassment and bribery, said Premier Investment chairman and billionaire Solomon Lew.

The operator of Smiggle and Peter Alexander has been conducting a global search to replace Cheston since he was sacked in late November last year for alleged “serious misconduct and a serious breach of his employment terms”.

Cheston has always denied the allegations against him.

A spokesperson for Cheston said: “To the extent that this latest rant is about Mr Cheston, it is simply untrue.

“The truth is Mr Cheston declined Premier’s offer to lead a separately listed Smiggle business and instead resigned to accept a CEO role for another publicly listed retail compa

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