The UK chair of audit giant KPMG has stepped aside amid an investigation into a conference call where he reportedly admitted breaking Covid-19 rules to get coffee with clients and said staff should “stop moaning” over worries around Covid-19.

Bill Michael had previously apologised for his comments on Monday during a call with the financial services consultancy team.

He had reportedly told staff to “stop moaning” and “playing the victim card” amid concerns over possible cuts to pensions, pay and bonuses, it was revealed on Tuesday.

He stepped aside on Wednesday as the Financial Times prepared to report further comments from the call.

According to the paper, Mr Michael said that he was meeting clients for coffee during Covid-19.

We take this matter very seriously

One person who was on the call reportedly said: “He literally said, ‘I know I’m breaking the law’ to meet up with people during the pandemic.”

Mr Michael was also reported to have referred to unconscious bias – the idea that people’s views of people or groups can influence their behaviour without noticing – as “complete crap”.

It sparked outrage from some employees on an app used to post comments during the meeting.

“There’s no such thing as unconscious bias?! Are you joking? Please do your research before just making such statements. Check your privilege,” one employee wrote, according to records reviewed by the Financial Times.

In a statement, KPMG UK said: “Following the meeting on February 8, the firm initiated an independent investigation into the alleged comments in accordance with its usual procedures.

“Mr Michael has decided to step aside from his duties as chair while the investigation is under way.

“We take this matter very seriously and will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”

The 52-year-old Australian, who was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in late March last year, apologised to staff after the call.

“I know that words matter and I regret the ones I chose to use today. I think lockdown is proving difficult for all of us. I am very sorry for what I said and the way that I said it,” he reportedly said.