Britain’s best-known business group has postponed all its public events following allegations of sexual harassment, drug use and rape among its staff.
(Bloomberg) — Britain’s best-known business group has postponed all its public events following allegations of sexual harassment, drug use and rape among its staff.
The Confederation of British Industry said Tuesday that upcoming events, including its lucrative annual dinner, would not take place as previously planned.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey was due to speak at the dinner, originally scheduled for May 11, alongside a senior politician who had yet to be named. Tables at the event cost as much as £4,900 ($6,110).
The CBI appointed a law firm to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct which resulted in Tony Danker stepping aside as its director general last month.
On Monday, the Guardian newspaper published details of separate allegations of sexual harassment from more than a dozen women who’ve worked at the CBI. The report said one woman claims she was raped at a staff party on a boat in London.
The probe has been expanded to cover the scope of the new allegations, which are separate and unrelated to claims made against Danker.
Later Monday, Bloomberg reported that Labour politician Lisa Nandy had withdrawn from a “political engagement” event being held by the CBI.
Read More: Nandy Pulls Out of CBI Dinner as Lobby Group Faces Rape Claim
A spokesperson for the CBI said “in light of the very serious allegations that are currently subject to independent investigation, the CBI has decided to temporarily pause its external programme of events.” They said the situation would be reviewed after the Easter break when the CBI hopes to receive preliminary findings of the initial part of the investigation.
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