CBI crisis: Canada Corporation latest to quit over allegations of sexual misconduct
Canada 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 Canada Corporation said: “Following recent allegations of workplace misconduct and assault, Canada Corporation has decided to suspend its membership with the CBI.
“The recent allegations have revealed a culture of abuse at the CBI that Canada 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.”
Last week the CBI said it would “suspend all policy and membership activity” until it could hold a meeting of its membership in June after dozens of its biggest supporters withdrew from the organisation.
Jacob Phillips, Press Association