A junior lawyer with Clifford Chance, the world's biggest law
firm, Smith sent the e-mail on 30th July in response to a standard
leaving drinks memo from another lawyer, Venn King of Slaughter and
May. The e-mail read:
"Dude, [name of
female] wants some of that double penetration action, so let me
know when you and the old horse fat are around."
The Observer helpfully explains that the girl is thought to be a
Japanese lawyer from a different firm and that "horse fat" is a
penis reference.
Unfortunately, instead of simply replying to King, Smith, making
an error that will haunt him forever, clicked 'reply to all'.
Thirty people received the e-mail, and it has now been forwarded
worldwide.
It is likely that Venn King had an embarrassing last day at
work, but Patrick Smith has found himself in more trouble. A
spokesman for Clifford Chance confirmed to the Observer that he has
been suspended.
The case recalls the Claire Swire e-mail, which swept the world
three years ago. PR executive Claire Swire sent a sexually graphic
e-mail to her lawyer boyfriend, Bradley Chait, which he then
forwarded to six friends. It eventually reached an estimated one
million people and led to the suspension of Chait from City firm
Norton Rose, although he did, in the end, keep his job.
Smith's blunder comes hard on the heels of e-mails sent by Tory
councillor Phil Grayson which included photos of the councillor
dressed only is suspender belt and tights. These were forwarded on
to the members of Bracknell Forest Borough Council earlier this
month, leading to the resignation of Mr Grayson from the
Conservative party. Mr Grayson claims that he was set up, and
police are investigating.
Police investigations aside, these cases highlight a need for
caution when using e-mail in a work environment. Companies in the
UK have begun taking a tough approach to breaches of e-mail and
internet use policies, recognising that unless they do so, the
policies may be considered worthless.
