Aviva has left the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), one of the UK’s biggest lobbying organisations, with immediate effect.
The insurer said the move followed “very serious” allegations made about misconduct and sexual assault being conducted by employees of the organisation and the CBI’s handling and response.
In the latest development, reported by The Guardian, a second woman who worked at an international office of the organisation has said she was raped and sexually assaulted by two male colleagues.
The City of London police is already in the process of investigating an alleged rape at a CBI summer party in 2019.
In early April, claims of misconduct and sexual assault at the CBI first emerged, with the body moving to suspend three employees pending the outcome of an investigation by law firm Fox Williams.
In a separate move the CBI sacked director-general Tony Danker last week following claims of workplace misconduct against him.
In its statement, Aviva said: “In light of the very serious allegations made, and the CBI’s handling of the process and response, we believe the CBI is no longer able to fulfil its core function – to be a representative voice of business in the UK.
“We have therefore regrettably terminated our membership with immediate effect.”
