CBI forced to introduce anti-harassment rules after problems at previous event

Ms. Newton-Smith acknowledged that the revamped CBI will struggle to regain credibility. Photo: Darren Staples/Bloomberg

Ms. Newton-Smith added, «I've always built teams that supported each other and I won't stand by and turn a blind eye if I see sexual harassment in the workplace.»

< p>The CBI is trying to draw a line under the allegations as police investigations into allegations of sexual harassment continue.

A lobbying group claiming to be the «voice of business»; is undergoing a 60-day review, during which the organization is likely to be renamed.

Ms. Newton-Smith, who left the CBI to work at Barclays in March, and only a few weeks later returned to this position . , refused to discuss "specific incidents" what she says she saw during her previous time at the CBI.

"I don't want to talk about specific people, because it's about moving forward. And… it's inappropriate,» she said.

“But what I can tell you is that whenever I saw something inappropriate, I spoke about it, and if my employees ever came to me with problems, I either supported them so that their voice was heard, or I spoke. on their behalf."

The CBI will hold an extraordinary general meeting in June to decide its fate. Brian McBride, president of the CBI, acknowledged that the organization might not survive.

Ms. Newton-Smith agreed that the revamped lobbying group would be «really different from what it was six months ago.» back".

She added: "I'm sure we can get our members back. I don't know if I can play each of them. But I also think that there are new companies that will come and see what we're doing.

"It's really important, we're getting back the trust, it's really urgent for us. And this is a difficult task, because part of the path that we need to go through will take time.

"But we need to find a way to show the outside world that we take this very seriously"