A British tech tycoon who counts the rich and famous as friends has been charged with rape and sexual assault. Lawrence Jones, 52, who is said to be worth £700 million, founded the internet hosting service UK Fast and was its chief executive until he stepped down in 2019 after allegations by female colleagues made during an investigation by the Financial Times. They had included inappropriate physical contact, verbal abuse and bullying, which he denied at the time. The company, based in Manchester, had been ranked as one of the top ten places to work in Britain. Greater Manchester police said yesterday that Mr Jones, who lives in Hale Barns, a village near Altrincham, had been charged with one rape and four sexual assaults.

Source: The Times January 05, 2021 17:10 UTC