TV chef Annabel Karmel's sex case nightmare
Celebrity cook Annabel Karmel was left devastated after being falsely accused of sexual harassment, her partner said yesterday.
“She cannot get it out of her mind. It has been a complete nightmare.” said lawyer Stephen Margolis.
“It has been awful what Annabel has gone through. It has gone on for a year. She has suffered sleepless nights. It has been devastating. It has had a huge effect on the whole household.”
Mr Margolis, who is also a film financier, has been with Ms Karmel for eight years.
He spoke out on behalf of the TV chef after a confidentiality agreement gagged her from talking about her ordeal. Mother-of-three Ms Karmel, 57, was alleged to have fired a younger employee after he spurned her sexual advances.
It has been awful what Annabel has gone through
Mark Salter, 39, formerly her sales director, had also accused her of racial discrimination.
He then retracted both allegations and settled out of court.
In his claim, he said she had also worn provocative clothing and made inappropriate sexual comments. He claimed she “only employed good-looking men” and made comments about his looks in front of clients.
Her lawyers tried to keep the case secret, but a judge ordered her to be named.
Ms Karmel has been described as the female Jamie Oliver with her mission to improve children’s eating habits.