A SENIOR PARTNER at the accountancy firm where male members of staff circulated emails ranking the perceived attractiveness of their female colleagues has said he “deeply regrets” the scandal.

In a statement released this evening, Ronan Murphy of PricewaterhouseCoopers said his firm was taking the email scandal – which has been given worldwide coverage after being featured on US website Gawker – “extremely seriously”.

PWC had “commenced a full investigation which is ongoing” into the affair, which saw one member of staff compile his “shortlist for the top 10″, apparently having already conversed with male colleagues on the topic – with those members of staff then circulating it further.

The mails became public knowledge when one member of staff within PWC forwarded the mail to friends in other accountancy firms – ultimately leading to the Irish Independent revealing the story yesterday morning.

“Our main concern is the impact of this matter on the women who were the subject of these emails,” Murphy said. “We are meeting with them regularly and ensuring that they have the full support of the Firm in dealing with this very difficult issue for them.

“Their difficulty has been compounded by the publication of their photographs,” he added, referring to the publication of the images in today’s newspapers alongside their names.

I greatly appreciate the messages of support we have received as we deal with this very difficult situation for the young women who have just joined us.

Murphy said the firm had become first aware of the emails on Tuesday – the day before they were first covered in the media.

“I deeply regret this situation and it is hugely disappointing as we require our people to adhere to the highest level of standards in their conduct and behaviour.”