US to investigate claim of forced labour at Boohoo suppliers

Move follows charity's allegations of poor working practices in its UK supply chain

US authorities have launched an investigation into allegations of forced labour in Boohoo's UK supply chain, which could lead to the online fashion seller's goods being impounded at ports.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) body is understood to have found sufficient grounds for the investigation late last month after Liberty Shared, a charity which campaigns against modern slavery, sent it a petition on 1 February outlining problems with Boohoo factories in Leicester. If the CBP finds evidence goods have been made with forced labour it can instruct ports not to release them.