EVERY McDonald’s branch has been warned it could face legal action if they do not keep their staff safe from sexual abuse.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has sent a letter to every one of the restaurant’s branches, including Newton Abbot, Torquay and Haldon Hill, that they must comply with their legal duties or risk enforcement action.

In 2023, McDonald’s signed a legal agreement with the EHRC in response to concerns about the handling of sexual harassment complaints made by staff in its UK restaurants.

The agreement did not include franchises, which tis how the bulk of McDonald’s restaurants are ran.

However, the EHRC’s latest letter has said that all businesses must comply with the Equality Act.

Some of the steps laid out in the Government agency's letter includes: regular risk assessments, proper safeguarding and using established procedure when dealing with complaints.

The letter goes on to say that franchise restaurants that do not comply may be at risk of ‘enforcement action’

The government watchdog has the power to launch investigations and, where necessary, can take a restaurant refusing to comply through the judicial system.

An unlimited fine could be issued.