Hurd's accuser speaks out

HP contractor who caused his downfall said she "never meant him to lose his job"

Mark Hurd: Stepped down on Friday after sexual harassment accusations

The woman whose sexual harassment claims against HP head Mark Hurd caused him to resign last week, has said she never intended him to lose his job.

HP's head honcho stepped down late on Friday UK time after it emerged that he had been accused of sexually harassing an HP contractor.

Former actress Jodie Fisher, who has appeared on a US reality TV show and a handful of low budget films including 'R-Rated' titles, released a statement through her solicitor Gloria Allred.

The statement said: "I was surprised and saddened that Mark Hurd lost his job over this. That was never my intention."

"I wish Mark, his family and HP the best," it added.

It also emerged over the weekend that Hurd is accused of falsifying expense reports to conceal a "close personal relationship" with Fisher.

HP moved swiftly to put the crisis behind it, with interim chief executive Cathie Lesjak, claiming key investors and customers have supported the company's actions.

In a conference call with the press, she said: "One thing changed in this company on Friday and that was that the CEO left. The rest of the company has not changed. The investors that I've talked to were confident that we've made the right decision."

Lesjak has confirmed she will not run for the full time position of chief executive, as the hunt for a replacement continues.