The couple who run the LGBT+ website PinkNews have been accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct by staff members.
Anthony James, a director at the company, and his husband, founder Benjamin Cohen, are both alleged to have behaved inappropriately towards junior employees at the UK-based online newspaper.
In an investigation by the BBC, several staff members claimed that they saw Mr James kissing and touching a junior colleague who appeared too drunk to consent.
The alleged incident is said to have taken place outside a London pub where staff had gathered after a PinkNews event.
“Anthony was just forcing himself on somebody who wasn’t able to make that decision for themselves because of how intoxicated they were,” one former staff member claimed.
The alleged victim was later helped to get home in a taxi. Several former staff members told the BBC that they were too scared to complain after witnessing the incident.
Representatives for Mr Cohen and Dr James told the BBC they could not provide a statement “at this time” but said all of the allegations were false.
In the report, another former staff member claimed that he was slapped on the rear by Mr Cohen in front of people at a Christmas party, while another claimed to have been asked to go back to Mr Cohen’s home because his husband wasn’t there.
“The suggestion was we would do something sexually. I was extremely uncomfortable,” he told the BBC, adding that he avoided being alone with Mr Cohen for the remainder of his time at PinkNews.
Meanwhile, female members of staff were reportedly asked if they would act as the couple’s surrogates,
The BBC said it spoke with 33 people who had worked at PinkNews between 2017 to 2024 and had also seen evidence including official written complaints, private emails and messages between staff members sharing their concerns.
The Independent has contacted PinkNews and Mr Cohen for comment.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said: “These are clearly very concerning reports… everyone should be free from sexual harassment in the workplace and beyond.”
Founded in 2005 by Mr Cohen, PinkNews is the world’s biggest LGBT+ news website and has been involved in a number of campaigns, including the coalition for equal marriage.
It has hosted the annual PinkNews Awards since 2013. Over the years, the ceremony has been attended by a number of prominent politicians and celebrities, including David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Laverne Cox, Nigella Lawson and Russell T Davies.
