PRIMARK’S chief executive has resigned following an internal probe into his behaviour towards a woman in a social environment.

The budget fashion retailer’s parent firm, Associated British Foods (ABF), said that Paul Marchant stepped down with immediate effect having “acknowledged his error of judgement and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected by ABF.”

“He has made an apology to the individual concerned, the ABF board and also to his Primark colleagues and others connected to the business,” the firm added.