In a statement, Tesco said Allan “vigorously denied” three of the allegations, and had “unreservedly apologised for the comment he made” with the fourth.

The grocer said that, in regards to one allegation stemming from its 2022 annual meeting, Tesco had “immediately instigated an extensive review of the allegation”, including inviting colleagues to come forward internally, contacting attendees of the meeting and looking at available video footage of the meeting and internal complaints.

Tesco said, following the review, it “has not identified any evidence or complaints in relation to John [Allan] at the Tesco AGM or at all in his tenure as Tesco chair”.