McInnes wishes DJs staffer well

Former David Jones chief executive Mark McInnes, who fled the country after
admitting inappropriate behaviour toward a female employee, hopes the woman will
continue working with the retail giant.
Mr McInnes left Australia last week after resigning from the retailer over the
incident involving Kristy Fraser-Kirk, 25, who is on leave from David Jones.
"It is my hope now that the staff member will be able to resume her career and that
David Jones can continue to be the greatest department store in Australia," Mr
McInnes said in a statement issued through his public relations agency on Monday.
Harmers Workplace Lawyers also confirmed on Monday it was acting for Ms Fraser-Kirk,
saying she had been forced to leave her Sydney home as a result of media pressure
since her identity was revealed at the weekend.
"Whilst it is legitimate for the media to report this serious and important matter,
we would request that they refrain from pursuing Ms Fraser-Kirk," Harmers said in a
statement.
As the retailer deals with the fall-out from Friday's shock resignation, Mr McInnes
says he's concentrating on his pregnant partner.
"I offered my resignation and agreed to leave immediately in the hope of minimising
attention on the staff member - and wanting to minimise the impact on David Jones,"
he said.
"My focus now is on my partner, Lisa, on giving her every reason to believe in our
future together."
Mr McInnes also responded to a new allegation of inappropriate behaviour, saying it
was not true and that he had appointed his own legal team.
"I categorically deny a new allegation about an event that has been alleged to have
occurred at the David Jones marquee at the Royal Randwick races in 2004, six years
ago," he said.
"It is simply not true and I have appointed Johnson Winter and Slattery to defend me
in any court that such a matter could or would be tested."
Mr McInnes also repeated his apology to Ms Fraser-Kirk.
"Last week, I abjectly apologised for behaving in a manner unbecoming of the high
standard expected of a chief executive officer," he said.
He also denied reports he had jetted out of the country in first class.
"Contrary to various reports, I did not fly out of Australia in first class," he said.
"I have not gone to the French Riviera and have no plans to attend a wedding in
Portofino.
"These myths join the various others that currently abound.
"What I did was form a view that having made a very honest, very direct apology
about my errors of judgment, it was the best thing for all concerned for me to leave
Australia so that the healing process could begin."