Others said that Hefner had a stockpile of Quaaludes, the powerful sedative which Bill Cosby’s accusers claimed he drugged them with.

Hefner would have his own prescription, they said, and Hefner would keep them in a drawer in his bedroom and hand them out to women at the mansion.

Playboy, which is now publicially owned, added in its statement: “As a brand with sex positivity at its core, we believe safety, security, and accountability are paramount. The most important thing we can do right now is actively listen and learn from their experiences.”

“We will never be afraid to confront the parts of our legacy as a company that do not reflect our values today. As an organisation with a more than 80 per cent female workforce, we are committed to our ongoing evolution as a company and to driving positive change for our communities.”

The PLBY Group leadership team also reassured staff that the Hefner family is no longer associated with Playboy.

After Hefner’s death, his estate sold its remaining Playboy shares of 33 per cent, worth $35 million, split between Hefner’s widow and his four children.

Cooper Hefner, Hugh’s 30-year-old son with former Playboy Bunny Kimberley Conrad, defended his father, writing on his Twitter: “Some may not approve of the life my Dad chose, but my father was not a liar.

“However unconventional, he was sincere in his approach and lived honestly. He was generous in nature and cared deeply for people,” he wrote. 

“These salacious stories are a case study of regret becoming revenge.”