'No use' talking to CBI after sexual harassment scandal, says Hunt

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said ministers are ready to probe from other sources. Photo: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Jeremy Hunt said there is "no point" engagement with the Confederation of British Industry is the clearest sign that ministers have become disillusioned with the scandal-hit lobby group.

Days after the organization (CBI) went out of business before the summer, the chancellor told ministers were ready take soundings from businesses elsewhere.

He said, «There is no point in engaging with the CBI when their own members have deserted them en masse.

“We want to interact with a body that speaks for business. When I'm budgeting, it's incredibly important to me to have someone I can talk to who speaks for British business.”

Mr Hunt spoke on the sidelines of the government's Business Connect conference.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will not draw attention to the CBI scandal. Photo: Daniel Leal/Pool via REUTERS

When asked what the government is doing in the wake of the CBI allegations, the prime minister said: “I have two daughters. I want to make sure they grow in an economy and society where every opportunity is available to them.»

Mr Hunt told reporters ministers were «very concerned about the allegations about what happened at the CBI» after a number of accusations published in the Guardian, including allegations that two separate employees were raped by other employees.

The chancellor said: “We would like to be able to interact with business through a representative body whenever we can, but we don't stop. That's why we have 60% of senior executives here today.

“We're not going to wait for the reincarnation of CBI or CBI itself to get back on our feet to go into business. We want to be engaged all the time, every week, every day.

«They have to solve their own problems, and the business has to decide who they want to see as their leaders. voice.»