HP porn scandal leaves 100 facing sack

As many as 100 HP employees face the sack for alleged email abuse.

HP would not confirm reports that the staff were being disciplined for sending emails containting pornographic material, but did admit that an investigation was taking place.

It said in a statement: "HP can confirm that it is currently investigating the misuse of the company email system that contravenes its internal policy for all employees. HP can confirm that this involves the viewing and sharing of unauthorised and inappropriate material.

"This matter is being addressed with the utmost urgency through HP's internal investigatory procedures.

"HP takes any allegations of the misuse of corporate resources extremely seriously and has acted swiftly to initiate an internal investigation.

"Once the results of the investigation are available, HP will, where necessary, apply its standard disciplinary process and take appropriate action."

A report on The Register claims that 15 staff have been fired for gross misconduct and over 100 suspended on full pay full for circulating pornography in the company's email system.

The investigation began when some of the "inappropriate material" was forwarded to a member of HP's UK board by mistake, the report claims.

HP's statement added: "As a leading technology enterprise, HP ensures that all employees have access to the internet and the business benefits it can provide.

"However, as well as protecting its reputation, as a large employer HP has a responsibility to protect its people from offensive material and takes any abuse of its policy very seriously."