CBI rape allegations 'shocking' says Labour shadow minister

Allegations of rape and intersexual battle astatine the CBI are "absolutely shocking", a Labour shadiness curate said arsenic firms proceed to chopped ties with the lobby group.

Dozens of firms person said they are leaving the radical oregon pausing their rank owed to the allegations.

The CBI has said it is suspending cardinal activities until June portion it seeks to "refocus".

But immoderate concern leaders person said the CBI's marque could beryllium "beyond repair".

The lobbying radical has been rocked by the allegations, with a 2nd pistillate claiming she was raped by CBI colleagues successful a Guardian nonfiction connected Friday.

The constabulary were investigating an alleged rape astatine a CBI summertime enactment successful 2019 earlier the Guardian reported the 2nd incident. There person besides been allegations of different intersexual misconduct.

On Sunday, Labour's shadiness enactment and pensions caput Jonathan Ashworth stopped abbreviated of calling for the radical to beryllium disbanded, alternatively saying it needed "root and branch" reform.

"The revelations, the stories, person conscionable been perfectly shocking, haven't they?" helium said. "I consciousness for the radical who person been victims."

He added determination are "clearly deep-rooted problems" astatine the radical and it needs a "root and subdivision reappraisal and betterment process".

Both the authorities and the Labour Party person chopped ties with the CBI for now.

A waves of firms has withdrawn enactment from the lobbying group.

Firms that person quit include: John Lewis, BMW, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, insurers Aviva, Zurich and Phoenix Group, banking steadfast Natwest, payments institution Mastercard; B&Q proprietor Kingfisher; media steadfast ITV; security marketplace Lloyds of London; concern steadfast Schroders; auditor EY; catering elephantine Compass; consultants Accenture; and outsourcing elephantine Capita.

The Association of British Insurers and the British Insurance Brokers' Association person besides left, arsenic has Energy UK, which represents vigor suppliers.

Organisations that person suspended membership include: pharmaceutical giants GSK and AstraZeneca; airports relation Heathrow; retailers Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Marks & Spencer; banking radical Santander; National Grid, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power; drinks elephantine Diageo; Rolls Royce; Unilever; BT; spot institution British Land; accountancy elephantine PwC; Manpower Group; British Beer and Pub Association; Shell and BP; Nissan; Royal Mail; Uber; Facebook proprietor Meta; Paddy Power proprietor Flutter Entertainment; Nurofen shaper Reckitt; British American Tobacco; and FTSE 100 edifice radical IHG which owns Holiday Inn.

The CBI - which employs much than 300 radical - said connected Friday it would suspend cardinal activities and motorboat a reappraisal of its aboriginal role.

Andy Wood, the brag of brewer Adnams, told the BBC connected Saturday the CBI marque was astir apt "beyond repair", and it would person to "reinvent itself basal and branch".