CBI trade group faces second rape allegation

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By Dearbail JordanBusiness reporter, BBC NewsApril 21, 2023, 10:06 a.m. BST

Updated 16 minutes ago

image source, Getty Images

The CBI is facing a second allegation of rape by a woman who claims she was seriously sexually assaulted by two male colleagues.

The Guardian reported that the assault took place while the woman was working at one of the CBI’s overseas offices.

The CBI said these latest allegations “are heinous and our hearts go out to all of the women who have been victims of the behavior described.”

He said he was unaware of these allegations before.

But CBI Chairman Brian McBride added: “It is vital that they are now fully investigated and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice. .”

City of London Police are already investigating an alleged rape at a CBI summer party in 2019.

The BBC has contacted City of London Police over the alleged second rape.

Aviva, one of the UK’s biggest insurers, said on Friday it would now cancel its membership of the CBI, which is one of the UK’s leading business lobby groups and claims to speak on behalf of of 190,000 businesses.

But Aviva said: “In light of the very serious allegations made and the CBI’s handling of the process and response, we believe the CBI is no longer able to fulfill its primary function – to be a representative voice of businesses in the UK.

“We have therefore unfortunately terminated our membership with immediate effect.”

Last week the British Insurance Brokers’ Association also left, saying: ‘We have withdrawn our CBI membership in light of recent reports.’

The Guardian also reported that a woman in the CBI’s London office was harassed by a male colleague in 2018.

She filed a complaint with the CBI and a finding of harassment was upheld.

However, the newspaper reports that the man continued to work for the organization and eventually left for unrelated reasons.

In response, the CBI said: “We recognize the substance of the harassment report described as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018.

“The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed.”

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn was chief executive of the CBI between 2015 and 2020. The BBC has contacted her for comment.

Earlier this month, allegations of misconduct and sexual assault at the CBI emerged.

The group has suspended three employees pending the outcome of an investigation by law firm Fox Williams.

Mr McBride said he anticipated a report from Fox Williams later on Friday.

“The board will communicate its response to this and other steps we are taking to bring about the broader change that is needed early next week,” he said.

Mr Danker succeeded Dame Carolyn at the end of 2020.

The CBI has appointed Rain Newton-Smith – its former chief economist – as its new chief executive. Ms Newton-Smith was at the CBI for nearly nine years before leaving last month to join Barclays, but is now returning to the corporate lobby.

Mr McBride said: “We are rightly undertaking an urgent review of the roots and branches of our culture to right the wrongs where we can and reform our workplace for everyone.”

However, some have questioned whether someone who worked at CBI is the right person to lead an overhaul of the organization and its culture.

Commenting on Ms Newton-Smith’s appointment on Thursday, Ann Francke, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, said: ‘I’m not sure there has been much openness and transparency around the process and obviously you may wonder if someone who if there was the right change agent to change the culture.”

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