A former director of Watford Football Club has stepped down from his government role due to his involvement in a men-only fundraiser where hostesses were reportedly groped.

Businessman David Meller, Presidents Club trustee and co-chairman of the annual dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel, will no longer work at the Mayor's Fund for London and the Department for Education.

In 2008 he became sole sponsor of what has now become the Bushey Academy and was recently awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honour’s List for his services to education and work with the Meller Educational Trust.

However, an undercover report published by the Financial Times today revealed stories of sexism and harassment at the Presidents Club Charity Dinner.

A spokesman for the Mayor's Fund for London, which supports disadvantaged young people, said this afternoon: "David Meller has this afternoon resigned as a trustee of the Mayor's Fund for London.

"The Mayor's Fund for London is not and has never been a beneficiary of, nor has it had any involvement with, the Presidents Club or its events."

Education minister Anne Milton told MPs Mr Meller was quitting as non-executive director of the DfE board following the reports.

Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi also attended but "found the event extremely uncomfortable" and left early, Ms Milton said.

Mr Zahawi tweeted: "I do unequivocally condemn this behaviour. The report is truly shocking. I will never attend a men only function ever."

Labour MP Jess Phillips, who tabled an urgent question in the House of Commons, welcomed news that Mr Meller was standing down and asked if it was "appropriate" that Mr Zahawi made an appearance.

She added: "What happened is that women were bought as bait for men who were rich men, not a mile from where we stand, as if that is an acceptable behaviour - it is totally unacceptable."

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Evelina London Children's Hospital are among the causes that have benefited from the £20 million raised by the Presidents Club over more than 30 years.

A spokeswoman for GOSH Children's Charity described reports about the event as shocking and said: "We would never knowingly accept donations raised in this way.

"Due to the wholly unacceptable nature of the event we are returning previous donations and will no longer accept gifts from the Presidents Club Charitable Trust."

Financial Times reporter Madison Marriage, who went undercover as part of the paper's investigation into the event, told BBC Newsnight: "I was groped several times and I know that there are numerous other hostesses who said the same thing had happened to them.

"It's hands up skirts, hands on bums but also hands on hips, hands on stomachs, arms going round your waist unexpectedly.

"I can't believe that it still goes on in 2018, I think it's quite shocking."

The Charity Commission said it was looking into the allegations "as a matter of urgency".

Hostesses were allegedly told to wear black underwear and "sexy" black shoes for their shift.

Items at the auction included lunch with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a trip to the Windmill strip club in Soho and plastic surgery "to spice up your wife".

The Presidents Club said it was "appalled" by the allegations and vowed to investigate claims of "bad behaviour".

A spokesman said: "Such behaviour is totally unacceptable. The allegations will be investigated fully and promptly and appropriate action taken."

The Dorchester Hotel said it was not aware of any claims following the event and an investigation had been launched.

A spokesman for the Artista agency, which recruited the hostesses, said: "I was not aware of any claims of sexual harassment but the kind of behaviour alleged is completely unacceptable.

"I am checking with the staff and any complaints will be dealt with promptly and fairly."

It has now been reported that The Presidents Club is to close following the allegations.