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I doubt that this post will be popular, but in my view the mistake was on the part of Mishcon de Reya in issuing their statement, particularly in the light of the way in which the reports of the incident arose.

Wholly unacceptable behaviour (labelled with the excuse of "letting your hair down") is not acceptable. Having said that, it happens, and that will always remain a fact of life, particularly when drink is added to the mix. We need both to understand and accept that there are times when it will happen, and also accept that at such times the dividing line between what is and what is not acceptable is often not an easy one to define.

I was recently subjected to some outrageous behaviour, including racial and sexual abuse, by a group of girls, including several female lawyers, who I came across while they were out on a very drunken hen night. For those who do not like the anonymous status of this post, I make my position very clear. I will not put my name to this post for fear of retribution, which I have no doubt will happen. By the same token, I have not the slightest intention of naming the female lawyers engaged in this nonsense, if only from the perspective that I understand why it happened. That is not to say that I condone it. I do not; but at least I understand it, and the circumstances that led to it. Peer presure, the herd instinct, and alcohol, do not always for good behaviour make.

I do not believe for one nano second that Mr Mishcon took any part in the alleged unacceptable behaviour reported at The Presidents' Club, which makes the firm's statement even more difficult to understand.