Barratt is refusing to say whether its chair will remain in post until September as previously planned.

John Allan, who earlier this month admitted making an inappropriate comment to a Confederation of British Industry staff member, announced on Friday he is standing down prematurely from his position as chair of Tesco in the wake of further allegations that he denies.

 As things stand, Allan will continue as chair of £5.3bn-turnover Barratt until 6 September, when he was due to stand down anyway at the end of his nine-year term.