DLA Piper partner Nick West has apologised for sending sexist emails to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.

DLA Piper has conducted a review after emails sent between Scudamore and sports broadcasting lawyer West, who works on behalf of the Premier League, were leaked last week.

The emails, which were leaked to the Sunday Mirror by a former temporary PA to Scudamore, referred to women as 'irrational' and contained sexual innuendos. In one email exchange reported in the Mirror, Scudamore wrote: "I had a girlfriend once called double decker… happy for you to play upstairs, but her dad got angry if you went below".

A DLA spokesperson said: "The firm has conducted its review. We have concluded that there was a failure to meet the high professional standards in which we take pride as a firm, whilst recognising that these were emails exchanged between friends and accessed without permission. We have accepted Mr West's assurances that these emails are not reflective of his beliefs and values and that there will be no recurrence of this behaviour."

In a statement Nick West said: "I sincerely apologise for my actions. In sending the emails in question I let myself, my firm and its clients down. I have an obligation to uphold the highest professional standards and I give my assurance that this will be the case going forward."

Scudamore has escaped disciplinary action from the Premier League after he received the backing of 17 member clubs who met on Monday to discuss the case. However the Football Association is coming under increasing pressure to hold an inquiry.