CBI Halts All Operations After Companies Withdraw Membership Following Second Rape Allegation

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has halted all policy and membership activities until an extraordinary general meeting, following reports of sexual misconduct allegations against its staff. The future of the organisation is in doubt, as a number of major businesses, including John Lewis Partnership, Asda, BMW, Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever, Scottish Power, British Beer and Pub Association, Shell, and Virgin Media O2 have either suspended their involvement or withdrawn their membership completely. The CBI board apologised for the situation and stated that they want to understand the future role and purpose of the organisation from members, stakeholders, and colleagues, which will be the focus of the organisation over the coming weeks. The crisis deepened with reports of a female employee claiming to have been raped while unconscious by two male colleagues on a night out while working at a CBI office abroad. The crisis follows earlier allegations of inappropriate behaviour and a separate rape allegation against Tony Danker, the director general, who had been fired.