The millionaire businessman who failed to oust Jeremy Corbyn from leading the Labour party recently defended the allegation that BBC star Chris Evans flashed his penis at former colleagues by calling the story “an old chestnut”.
Michael Foster – who is Chris Evans’ agent and has given Labour more than £400,000 – mounted a legal challenge against the Labour national executive’s decision to automatically nominate Corbyn in the leadership contest.
BREAKING: #JeremyCorbyn WINS ruling here in court & will remain on #Labour leadership ballot after failed bid to scrap NEC decision. @LBC
— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) July 28, 2016
If Foster’s action had been successful, it could have ended Corbyn’s leadership.
A failed Labour parliamentary candidate himself, Foster first came to Heat Street’s attention when we published a story in April telling how several of Chris Evans’ ex-colleagues alleged that the broadcaster used to expose his penis to them at work and had been a bully when they knew him.
The lurid claims, all dating back to when Evans worked on Channel 4 show The Big Breakfast, merited a response but the BBC refused to comment. Instead, the BBC gave us Foster’s contact details in his capacity as Evans’ agent.
When we rang the number, registered in Cornwall, the man who answered the phone claimed his name was not Michael Foster but was in fact John Smith.
After a five-minute conversation Mr Foster/Mr Smith also refused to comment on the claims, having called them an “old chestnut”. Mr Foster/Mr Smith then provided a mobile number for Mr Foster. When we rang it, it cut to a voicemail message. The voice on it was identical to the man who a few minutes earlier had called himself Mr Smith.
Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that's not enough. The team are beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best.
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) July 4, 2016
Subsequently, we spoke to another former colleague of Evans who said he exposed himself to her “relentlessly” and once “grabbed” her breasts.
Police are now investigating claims against Evans.
A recent police statement said: “An allegation of non-recent sexual assault was made to police on May 23. The allegation was made by a woman against a man, and relates to incidents in Tower Hamlets in the 1990s. There have been no arrests and no person has been interviewed under caution.”
Evans quit Top Gear earlier this month.
Foster stood for Labour at the 2015 election in the Cornwall seat of Cambourne and Redruth. He came second, trailing the Tory victor by 7,000 votes.
He did not respond to a request for comment.