The London lawyer who insisted that a secretary who spilt ketchup on his trousers should pay his £4 cleaning bill has resigned from his job.

The law firm Baker & McKenzie said today that Richard Phillips, whose e-mail demanding £4 from secretary Jenny Amner was passed on around the world, was leaving his job to "take time out to study".

But a spokeswoman denied that his resignation was precipitated by the "ketchupgate" row.

She said: "Richard resigned in early June. He will leave us in September. He is working out his notice.

"He resigned after the e-mail exchange between him and Jenny Amner, but before all the publicity. We stress that we did not accept his resignation over this incident. Richard has long-standing plans to take time out to study and will be taking up his place in the autumn."

Mr Phillips, 36, is a senior associate with the company, the world’s fifth-biggest law firm, and is thought to be on a six-figure package. He sent the e-mail the day after Ms Anmer spilt some ketchup on his suit, unaware that Ms Anmer was attending her mother's funeral.

With the subject line "ketchup trousers", his e-mail read: "Hi Jenny, I went to a dry cleaners and they said it would cost £4 to remove ketchup stains. If you cd let me have the cash today, that wd be much appreciated."

Ms Amner replied: "I must apologise for not getting back to you straight away but due to my mother’s sudden illness, death and funeral I have had more pressing issues than your £4."

She went on: "I apologise for accidentally getting a few splashes of ketchup on your trousers. Obviously your financial need as a senior associate is greater than mine as a mere secretary."

The spokeswoman said that both Mr Phillips and Ms Amner were currently on paid leave of absence. "I cannot comment further on their personal situation," she said.

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