The CBI, which says it represents 190,000 businesses, including some of Britain’s biggest companies, may find itself fighting for its survival as the number of its members cut ties with it.
Major British companies including Unilever, NatWest, John Lewis and Virgin Media O2 have today pulled out of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), following fresh allegations of harassment of women by employers’ union officials.
The CBI, which says it represents 190,000 businesses, including some of Britain’s biggest companies, may find itself fighting for its survival as the number of its members cut ties with it.
Following allegations of rape last week and news that the case is being investigated by the police, the Guardian newspaper today reports that a second woman was raped by two CBI officers.
The woman accused the CBI of not supporting her after the incident.
Other sources told the newspaper that there is a third woman, who was being secretly watched by a union official but was discouraged by the CBI from reporting her stalker.
“Although the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are now fully investigated and we are in close contact with the police,” confederation president Brian McBride said.
Although some CBI members, such as supermarket chain Tesco, said they would await the conclusions of an investigation by a law firm on behalf of the confederation, others decided to cut ties immediately.
“Due to further very serious and ongoing complaints in relation to the CBI, we have decided to withdraw with immediate effect,” retail chain John Lewis said in a statement.
Vigin Media O2 criticized the confederation’s handling of the complaints, saying it “does not represent” British companies. “Consequently, we have informed the CBI that we are terminating our participation,” a spokesperson for the carrier said.
Among the companies that have left are also insurers Aviva, Phoenix Group and Zurich Insurance Group, telecoms firm BT Group, and business services firm PwC, while bank Santander said it was considering joining. Fund manager Fidelity International said it would not renew its holding in CBI.
Last week, London police launched an investigation after the Guardian newspaper reported that a CBI employee had alleged she had been raped by an officer at a party.
The CBI has fired its director general, Tony Danker, but his departure was not linked to the allegations of criminal wrongdoing.
Source :Skai
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