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Great Ormond Street to return club's donations over harassment claims Organiser of all-male charity gala resigns from DfE
(about 1 hour later)
Claims of groping of hostesses at all-male charity event prompt widespread disgust among MPs David Meller resigns from DfE board amid harassment claims, in move welcomed by PM
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
Wed 24 Jan 2018 12.23 GMTWed 24 Jan 2018 12.23 GMT
Last modified on Wed 24 Jan 2018 12.44 GMT Last modified on Wed 24 Jan 2018 13.50 GMT
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Great Ormond Street hospital has pledged to return donations from the Presidents Club, the all-male dining set at the centre of allegations of sexual harassment at a charity fundraiser. One of the organisers of an all-male charity dinner at which women were allegedly sexually harassed, has resigned as a board member of the Department for Education.
The alleged behaviour by guests at the club’s men-only annual charity dinner has prompted widespread disgust from MPs of all parties, as pressure mounts on one of the organisers, David Meller, to resign his post as a board member of the Department for Education. The alleged behaviour by attendees at the President Club’s men-only annual charity dinner has prompted widespread disgust from MPs of all parties.
Margot James, the minister for digital and the creative industries, backed calls for an investigation by the Charity Commission into what she described as a “slimeball’s” event. In response to an urgent question in the Commons about the event, the education minister, Anne Milton, said businessman David Meller, a joint chair of the club, would be standing down as both a non-executive director of the department and the chairman of the government’s apprenticeship delivery board.
Milton said: “I understand from reports that at this event there were allegations of inappropriate and lewd behaviour. It is quite extraordinary to me that in the 21st century allegations of this kind are still emerging.
“Women have the right to feel safe wherever they work, and allegations of this type of behaviour are completely unacceptable.”
She added: “ The government expects board members to adhere to the code of conduct for board members of public bodies. This quite clearly states that they should adhere to seven principles of public life. David Meller is stepping down as non-executive member for the DfE and apprenticeship delivery board, and this is the right thing to do.”
Theresa May backed Meller’s resignation, Downing Street said. “Yes, he has been asked to step down and the prime minister thinks that is the right decision,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.
“The PM was uncomfortable at the reports she read this morning. I say reports because clearly this is an event to which she would not be invited.”
Earlier, Great Ormond Street hospital pledged to return donations from the Presidents Club. Margot James, the minister for digital and creative industries, backed calls for an investigation by the Charity Commission into what she described as an event for “slimeballs”.
The annual event, attended by 360 guests including bankers, entrepreneurs and celebrities, included an auction to raise money for good causes. It was held at the exclusive Dorchester hotel and hosted by the comedian David Walliams.The annual event, attended by 360 guests including bankers, entrepreneurs and celebrities, included an auction to raise money for good causes. It was held at the exclusive Dorchester hotel and hosted by the comedian David Walliams.
We are keen to hear from people who work in hospitality and have worked at this or similar events about what it’s like. We are also keen to hear from those who work in the city and in major businesses about whether this behaviour is widespread.We are keen to hear from people who work in hospitality and have worked at this or similar events about what it’s like. We are also keen to hear from those who work in the city and in major businesses about whether this behaviour is widespread.
You can share your story by using our encrypted form here.You can share your story by using our encrypted form here.
 We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting. We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting.
But according to an undercover investigation by two journalists from the Financial Times, some of the 130 women employed as hostesses to entertain the all-male guest list were subjected to sexual harassment. According to an undercover investigation by two journalists from the Financial Times, some of the 130 women employed as hostesses to entertain the all-male guest list were subjected to sexual harassment.
The women were allegedly groped repeatedly and invited by diners to join them in bedrooms at the hotel, while some said men had put hands up their skirts.The women were allegedly groped repeatedly and invited by diners to join them in bedrooms at the hotel, while some said men had put hands up their skirts.
I hear you have written to the Charities Commission about the slimeball’s “charity event” last night @joswinson week done, please add my nameI hear you have written to the Charities Commission about the slimeball’s “charity event” last night @joswinson week done, please add my name
A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity said: “We are shocked to hear of the behaviour reported at the Presidents Club Charitable Trust fundraising dinner.A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity said: “We are shocked to hear of the behaviour reported at the Presidents Club Charitable Trust fundraising dinner.
“We would never knowingly accept donations raised in this way. Due to the wholly unacceptable nature of the event we are returning previous donations and will no longer accept gifts from the Presidents Club Charitable Trust.”“We would never knowingly accept donations raised in this way. Due to the wholly unacceptable nature of the event we are returning previous donations and will no longer accept gifts from the Presidents Club Charitable Trust.”
The GOSH Charity official response to reports today around the Presidents Club Charitable Trust. pic.twitter.com/rTpM1Kb8QtThe GOSH Charity official response to reports today around the Presidents Club Charitable Trust. pic.twitter.com/rTpM1Kb8Qt
In the House of Commons there will be an urgent question from Labour’s Jess Phillips on whether Meller should remain a non-executive director at the DfE.
According to the department, Meller is a “joint chairman of his family business, the Meller Group, one of the largest luxury home and beauty suppliers in the UK. David established the Meller Educational Trust and is the chair of the National Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and the Apprenticeship Delivery Board.” He joined the board in June 2013. Meller’s company, the Meller Group, refused to answer questions about his role in the event.
The Labour MP Diana Johnson also called for him to resign his government post.
Assuming that David Meller will be resigning from his role as Director at the Department of Education this morning alongside his role as Ambassador for Apprentiships after the @FT expose of men only “charity” event which he organises.
Meller’s company, the Meller Group, refused to answer questions about his role in the event or his future at the DfE.
A DfE spokeswoman said: “This charity event was attended in a personal capacity. It was not official departmental business and as such we are unable to comment further.”
Financial Times reporter Madison Marriage, who went undercover at the event, told BBC2’s Newsnight: “I was groped several times and I know that there are numerous other hostesses who said the same thing had happened to them.Financial Times reporter Madison Marriage, who went undercover at the event, told BBC2’s Newsnight: “I was groped several times and I know that there are numerous other hostesses who said the same thing had happened to them.
“It’s hands up skirts, hands on bums but also hands on hips, hands on stomachs, arms going round your waist unexpectedly.“It’s hands up skirts, hands on bums but also hands on hips, hands on stomachs, arms going round your waist unexpectedly.
“The worst I was told by one of the hostesses was a man taking his penis out during the course of the dinner.“The worst I was told by one of the hostesses was a man taking his penis out during the course of the dinner.
The Charity Commission said it is looking into the allegations “as a matter of urgency”. The Charity Commission said it was looking into the allegations “as a matter of urgency”.
Tracy Howarth, its head of regulatory compliance, said: “Charities have a duty to fundraise responsibly and in line with their values. Trustees must also consider the well-being and protection of staff and all those who come into contact with their charity - not just those they are there to help.”Tracy Howarth, its head of regulatory compliance, said: “Charities have a duty to fundraise responsibly and in line with their values. Trustees must also consider the well-being and protection of staff and all those who come into contact with their charity - not just those they are there to help.”
Items at an auction at the event included lunch with foreign secretary Boris Johnson, a trip to the Windmill strip club in Soho, and plastic surgery “to spice up your wife”.Items at an auction at the event included lunch with foreign secretary Boris Johnson, a trip to the Windmill strip club in Soho, and plastic surgery “to spice up your wife”.
Organisers have vowed to investigate claims of “bad behaviour”, which included guests groping women, inviting them up to bedrooms and one diner indecently exposing himself.Organisers have vowed to investigate claims of “bad behaviour”, which included guests groping women, inviting them up to bedrooms and one diner indecently exposing himself.
A spokesman said: “The organisers are appalled by the allegations of bad behaviour at the event asserted by the Financial Times reporters. Such behaviour is totally unacceptable. The allegations will be investigated fully and promptly and appropriate action taken.”A spokesman said: “The organisers are appalled by the allegations of bad behaviour at the event asserted by the Financial Times reporters. Such behaviour is totally unacceptable. The allegations will be investigated fully and promptly and appropriate action taken.”
The Dorchester Hotel said it is “deeply concerned” and an investigation has been launched.The Dorchester Hotel said it is “deeply concerned” and an investigation has been launched.
CharitiesCharities
Sexual harassmentSexual harassment
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