The Government has suspended its relationship with the UK's largest business lobbying group amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by its staff.
Treasury sources confirmed it has "paused engagement" with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) "pending the outcome of investigations".
The organisation, which represents many of Britain’s biggest companies and campaigns on behalf of 190,000 businesses, was embroiled in fresh allegations of serious sexual assault and drug use among its staff this week.
On Tuesday Lisa Nandy’s office confirmed she had dropped out of an upcoming political engagement dinner following allegations from more than a dozen women.
The shadow levelling up secretary was due to be the key speaker at the event on April 25, in which guests would be able to “pose burning questions” directly to the senior Labour MP.
The CBI later confirmed it had now cancelled all upcoming events, including its annual dinner.
A spokesman for the organisation said it hoped the “preliminary findings” of its internal investigation would be completed soon after Easter.
One woman alleges she was raped at a staff party on a boat on the River Thames in 2019, the Guardian reported.
Other allegations include senior staff behaving inappropriately towards female colleagues and drug use at company events.
Last month Director-General Tony Danker stepped down while separate accusations about his behaviour in the workplace were investigated.
He has previously apologised for any offence he had caused and said it was “completely unintentional”.
A CBI spokesman said “We understand the Government’s decision to pause engagement pending the outcome of the independent investigation.
“Soon after Easter, the CBI board expects to have preliminary findings and actions from the first phase of the investigation.”
