Edinburgh Woollen Mill has said that it will “vigorously defend” allegations that it mislabelled scarves as ‘100% cashmere’. The retailer is owned by Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) Group along with Peacocks and Jane Norman.

The retailer told the Sunday Times that it “strongly refutes” the claims that suppliers may have blended expensive cashmere with cheaper sheep or yak wool. “The cashmere products sold by Edinburgh Woollen Mill are subject to robust independent testing by experts in the fibre-testing field.

“Furthermore, we conduct regular supplier audits designed to ensure the highest standards of product authenticity throughout our business."