Asda, Sainsbury’s and M&S are the latest retailers to join John Lewis and Unilever in halting their relationships with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), following a second sexual harassment allegation.
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that a member of staff had allegedly been raped by a manager at one of the lobby group’s company events in 2019.
On Friday, another woman claimed that she had been sexually assaulted by two male colleagues when working at the CBI’s offices overseas.
Since, there has been an exodus of business members from the CBI, which claims to represent some of Britain’s leading companies and campaigns on behalf of more than 190,000 businesses.
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According to reporting by The Grocer, Asda said as it was aware of these further allegations that had been made against the CBI, it has decided to “pause engagement with them while these are investigated.”
An M&S spokesperson added that it had also paused its membership while allegations are investigated.
A spokesperson for John Lewis said: “Due to the further very serious and ongoing allegations made relating to the CBI, we have decided to end our membership with immediate effect,” while Unilever confirmed last week that it has “suspended” its membership.
The government’s department for business and trade told The Guardian that it was “postpoing ministerial engagement” with the CBI “until the legal investiagation has concluded.”
CBI president, Brian McBride said in a statement: ”Our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described.
”While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice.”
