Ketchup email leaves lawyer's reputation stained

It was embarrassing enough for £100,000-a-year lawyer Richard Phillips when his email asking a secretary for the £4 cost of cleaning ketchup from his trousers became the talk of the City.

But today he returns to work knowing that the rest of Britain is laughing at his miserly demand.

After Jenny Amner copied the email he sent her asking for the cash "today" to everyone in their office, along with her withering reply, it was naturally forwarded by colleagues to other firms in the square mile.
This morning Mr Phillips, of global law firm Baker & McKenzie, awoke to find his behaviour plastered across newspapers and on-line news sites.

Mr Phillips sent Ms Amner the email on 25 May after she spilt ketchup on his trousers during lunch at the firm's canteen near St Paul's, stating: "Hi Jenny, I went to a dry cleaners at lunch and they said it would cost £4 to remove ketchup stains. If you cd let me have the cash today, that wd be much appreciated. Thanks Richard."

Mrs Amner was slow to respond and Mr Phillips followed with a post-it note reminder on her desk.

It turned out that Mrs Amner had been off work following the death of her mother, which perhaps explains why she sent her response to all 250 people in their office. She wrote: "I must apologise for not getting back to you straight away but due to my mother's sudden illness, death and funeral I have had more pressing issues than your £4.

"I apologise again for accidentally getting a few splashes of ketchup on your trousers. Obviously your financial need as a senior associate is greater than mine as a mere secretary.

"Having already spoken to and shown your email and Anne-Marie's note to various partners, lawyers and trainees in ECC&T and IP/IT, they kindly offered to do a collection to raise the £4. I however declined their kind offer but should you feel the urgent need for the £4 it will be on my desk this afternoon. Jenny."

Baker and McKenzie said it was investigating the incident. "This is a private matter between two members of staff that clearly got out of hand," it said. Neither Mr Phillips nor Mrs Amner could not be contacted for comment.