A gripping tool having a mandrel reciprocatable within a slide member, the mandrel having a top connector for connecting to a tubular string and a bottom connector for connecting to a cutting tool, the slide member having at least one radially outwardly biased friction member and a slip cage with at least one window through which a slip is deployable, by movement of the mandrel within the slide member, to engage and grip a section of casing to be removed from a well, the mandrel being rotatable by rotation of the tubular string to operate the cutting tool with the gripping tool in the gripping mode. After detachment of the section of casing by the cutting tool, the gripping tool and the gripped section of casing are pulled from the well. The gripping mode is restorable to a running position to reset the tool in the casing.