City of London Corporation quits scandal-hit CBI amid sex attack claim
Major blow for scandal-hit CBI as City of London Corporation joins firms leaving business group in droves after a dozen sex assault claims
- City of London Corporation is the latest firm to quit scandal-hit CBI lobby group
- Police launched an investigation after a dozen women said they were attacked
The City of London Corporation has become the latest organisation to suspend its membership of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) following allegations of sexual misconduct.
The governing body, based in the Square Mile in London, strongly condemned the alleged culture of abuse at the business group.
The CBI announced yesterday it had dismissed ‘a number of people’ after a series of sexual misconduct allegations at the under-pressure lobby group following articles in The Guardian newspaper.
The paper said it had spoken to more than a dozen women who claimed to be victims of sexual harassment while working at the CBI, with two of them claiming to have been raped.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: ‘Following recent allegations of workplace misconduct and assault, the City of London Corporation has decided to suspend its membership with the CBI.
The City of London Corporation has become the latest organisation to suspend its membership of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
Former CBI director general Tony Danker was dismissed two weeks ago after the allegations were published
READ MORE: EX-CBI BOSS TONY DANKER SAYS HIS REPUTATION HAS BEEN ‘TRASHED’
‘The recent allegations have revealed a culture of abuse at the CBI that the City of London Corporation strongly condemns.
‘The voice of business is an important one and we must ensure it is a voice that people and businesses can trust.’
Former CBI director general Tony Danker was dismissed two weeks ago.
CBI president Brian McBride said that the board and senior leaders felt ‘a collective sense of shame’ for having let down staff at the business group yesterday.
The body suspended its policy and membership activity last Friday after dozens of members said that they were leaving or suspending their interactions with the CBI.
The move came after The Guardian published the second rape allegation on Friday.
On Monday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt questioned the point of liaising with the CBI after it lost such a large proportion of its membership.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Hunt said it was ‘incredibly important’ to engage with a body that represents British business.
But he added: ‘There’s no point engaging with the CBI when their own members have deserted them in droves.
‘So, we want to engage with a body that sticks up for business. It is incredibly important for me when I’m constructing budgets to have someone I can turn to who speaks for British business.’
The CBI has already suspended most of its activities, and will try to regroup ahead of a membership meeting in June.
Source: Read Full Article