The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has been hit with multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against senior staff.
Welsh Government ministers have had close ties with the notorious lobby firm, who campaign for taxpayer subsidies for big business and the rich.
The scandal is another example in a long line of big business execs being embroiled in misconduct probes.
By Mark S Redfern
Welsh Government officials have been forced to distance themselves from the scandal-hit big business lobby group due to sexual misconduct claims, a spokesperson confirmed to voice.wales.
Ministers in charge of economy and business have maintained close ties to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), regularly attending lobby events and consulting the firm on government funding decisions.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government told voice.wales they are “deeply concerned about the serious allegations made against the CBI… Until our concerns are addressed, the Welsh Government is pausing engagement with the CBI.”
The news comes as Ministers in Westminster have also been told to cut ties with the lobbyists representing 190,000 businesses across Britain.
Close ties with Welsh Government
The CBI voiced concern in 1997 over proposed devolution plans, worried that they wouldn’t have the same power that they exerted on politicians in London.
These worries were found to be wrong, however with successive Welsh Labour administrations happy to work alongside the organisation.
Previous Economy Minister Ken Skates AM had dined with CBI lobbyists before offering massive gov handouts to billionaire oil mogul Jim Ratcliffe, one of the orgs wealthiest clients, as revealed by voice.wales at the time.
Similar attitudes have been taken up by the incumbent, a hastily reshuffled Vaughan Gething MS, after his run overseeing the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been heavily criticised by bereaved families and others.
Ministerial diaries show frequent meetings with CBI officials, including an unpublicised meeting with Cobra beer magnate Lord Bilimoria who was then the CBI President, and speaking at the lobby’s annual conference.
Sexist industry
This isn’t the first time UK business magnates and their lapdogs have been embroiled in sexual misconduct scandals.
Philip Green, a British businessman and former owner of several retail brands including Topshop, was accused of sexual harassment and racial abuse by multiple former staff members in a 2018 investigation by The Telegraph.
The allegations against Green included making inappropriate comments and touching staff members, as well as using racial slurs. Although investigations were carried out, no charges were filed against Green. The accusations prompted widespread condemnation and reignited discussions about the prevalence of workplace harassment in the fashion industry.
A worrying note in the findings was the legal contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), that are used alongside the hush-money forced on complainants to keep their silence.
The Presidents Club scandal in 2018 sent shockwaves through the UK business community. An investigation by the Financial Times revealed widespread sexual harassment and misconduct at the secretive all-male charity dinner attended by some of the country’s most powerful businessmen.
Female hostesses were allegedly subjected to groping and lewd comments, and some were even propositioned for sex. The scandal led to public outrage and calls for greater accountability in the workplace. The charity behind the event, which had raised millions of pounds for children’s charities over the years, was forced to close down in the wake of the scandal.
The CBI’s advocacy for a pro-business agenda has contributed to widening income inequality, stagnant wages, and the erosion of workers’ rights, with the firm’s influence over government policies also perpetuating the dominance of big business and worsening the wealth gap in the UK.
The Welsh Government spokesperson continued: “In addition, we have sought assurances the CBI is taking immediate action to ensure the safety of women in the workplace. Until our concerns are addressed, the Welsh Government is pausing engagement with the CBI.”
“We strongly encourage any victims of inappropriate behaviour in Wales to contact relevant support services, including Live Fear Free and Rights of Women sexual harassment at work helpline, or the ACAS helpline.”
