Labour cuts ties with CBI and says lobby group needs ‘root and branch reform’
The Labour party has cut all ties with the Confederation of British Industry after the Guardian’s revelations about alleged sexual misconduct by male employees at the lobbying group.
The CBI experienced an exodus of major member businesses at the end of last week, including the insurer Aviva, the retailer John Lewis, the manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover and the banking firm Natwest Group. Companies said the lobby group was unable to carry out its role effectively following the allegations, after a second woman alleged to the Guardian that she was raped by two male colleagues when she worked at the CBI.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow work and pensions secretary, told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the lobby group needed “a root and branch review and reform process”.
Asked if the party would cut its links with the CBI, Ashworth said: “Well, we have done”, adding that the party had ceased all contact.
Ashworth said: “I just feel for the people who have been victims, and that the CBI has really got to get its house in order.”
The CBI on Friday said it had suspended all policy and membership activity until an extraordinary general meeting in June to allow members to “decide on the future role and purpose of the organisation” after the allegations.
The CBI is understood to be holding an all-staff meeting on Monday, to update employees on its plans. Some CBI staff are understood to be concerned about potential redundancies at the group, and surprised there’s been no discussion yet around job security.
The group faces a crucial week ahead. Early in the week it is expected to respond to a report by Fox Williams, an external law firm commissioned to carry out an independent investigation into the allegations. Rain
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