A Mishcon de Reya partner who attended an all-male charity event at which hostesses were groped has condemned the event, as has the firm.

Real estate partner Nick Minkoff was revealed as one of the guests at the Presidents Club Charity Dinner alongside invitees who included Ivy owner Richard Caring, Barclays investment banking Vice Chairman Makram Azar, Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi, presenter Vernon Kay, "funnyman" David Walliams, Dragons Den stars Peter Jones and Theo Pahphitis, celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo, BHS bandit Sir Philip Green and a flotilla of wealthy property spivs.

Undercover reporters from the Financial Times penetrated the gala and reported witnessing guests groping, sexually harassing and propositioning female hostesses. Lots at the auction, which has raised tens of millions for charity, included a night at the Windmill strip club in Soho, and plastic surgery which was advertised with the slogan “Add spice to your wife”.

But it was the treatment of the 130 hostesses by the 300 men in attendance which has led to the closure of the Club. Hostesses were told they had to be "tall, thin and pretty", and were instructed to wear small black skirts with matching black underwear. The FT talked to hostesses who said guests repeatedly put their hands up their skirts. One said a guest exposed his penis to her at the table. Others reported being fondled, lunged at for kisses and being invited upstairs to guests' rooms. A 19-year-old hostess said a guest asked whether she was a prostitute. “I’ve never done this before, and I’m never doing it again”, she said. “It’s fucking scary”.

Please tip your waitresses.

After Minkoff's name was exposed when the guest list was published in the Guardian, Mishcon de Reya released a statement condemning the event. "The existence of male only events of the type operated by the Presidents Club are contrary to the core values of Mishcon de Reya", it said, "specifically that we always aim to foster a culture which thrives on diversity and respect for the individual".

The "actions that took place that night were deplorable and should be condemned" and " have no legitimate place in society", continued the firm. It said that Minkoff attended the event "as a guest in order to support good causes". However, "he is embarrassed by being associated with this event and has confirmed that he never personally witnessed any of the reported behaviours", but "does not dispute them. He himself condemns any such behaviours".

Solicitors on the RollOnFriday Discussion Board said that, on the plus side, "If you're looking to get out from underneath Barry Sweatstain with a decent payoff and reputation intact surely this is your chance?" West End divorce lawyers, said another,  "should be coining it in for the next five years off the back of this".