'Ketchupgate' lawyer quits firm

The lawyer at the centre of the ketchupgate row has quit his £150,000-a-year post in the wake of the controversy.

Richard Phillips, who was ridiculed for demanding £4 from his secretary after she splattered his suit with tomato ketchup at lunch, has resigned from his job as a senior associate with leading City firm Baker McKenzie. Sources close to the 36-year-old lawyer said he had made the decision to leave "long before" the publication of the now infamous email. He is said to be devastated at his public humiliation.

He reportedly sent the email the day after the ill-fated meal while she - unknown to him - was at her mother's funeral.

His hurried email, tagged "ketchup trousers" read: "Hi Jenny, I went to a dry cleaners 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."

An outraged Ms Amner sent a withering email pointing out that he could afford it. She copied their exchange to all the staff in the commercial department at the firm, from where it winged its way across the City. Ms Amner, in her late fifties, is considering her future with the firm, where she has found herself increasingly isolated by staff who feel Mr Phillips has been victimised.

Baker and McKenzie has refused to comment on Mr Phillips's resignation saying: "We are investigating so as to resolve the issue amicably."