Boohoo appoints top lawyer to review supply chain following allegations

The board said it was "shocked and appalled" by the recent allegations, after the Sunday Times sent an undercover reporter to work at a garment factory in Leicester.

It has appointed Alison Levitt QC to look into the supply chain in the UK and promised to rebuild the battered reputation of clothes makers in Leicester.

In a statement, Boohoo management said: "As a board, we are shocked and appalled by the recent allegations that have been made and we are committed to doing everything in our power to rebuild the reputation of the textile manufacturing industry in Leicester.

"We want to ensure that the actions of a few do not continue to undermine the excellent work of many suppliers in the area, who succeed in providing good jobs and good working conditions.

"We take extremely seriously all allegations of malpractice, poor working conditions, and underpayment of workers.

"The group will not tolerate any incidence of non-compliance with its code of conduct or any mistreatment of workers, and will not hesitate to terminate relationships with any supplier who does not comply."

Next and Asos dropped Boohoo clothing from their websites after claims that the fast-fashion retailer sold clothes made in factories where staff were paid less than the minimum wage and worked in poor conditions.

The Sunday Times alleged that workers in a Leicester factory making clothes destined for Boohoo were being paid as little as £3.50 an hour.

Other online retailers, including Zalando and Very.co.uk, have also temporarily suspended the sale of Boohoo items.