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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/24/women-groped-and-sexually-harassed-at-london-charity-gala
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| MP calls for tougher laws after women 'groped' at men-only charity gala | MP calls for tougher laws after women 'groped' at men-only charity gala |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Equalities chair says act needs ‘real teeth’ after allegations about men-only event | Equalities chair says act needs ‘real teeth’ after allegations about men-only event |
| Rob Davies and | Rob Davies and |
| Anushka Asthana | Anushka Asthana |
| Wed 24 Jan 2018 00.05 GMT | Wed 24 Jan 2018 00.05 GMT |
| Last modified on Wed 24 Jan 2018 10.23 GMT | |
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| The chair of the parliamentary committee on women and equalities, Maria Miller MP, has suggested strengthening the Equalities Act, after details emerged of a men-only charity dinner – attended by senior figures from business and politics – at which hired “hostesses” were allegedly groped, sexually harassed and propositioned by guests. | The chair of the parliamentary committee on women and equalities, Maria Miller MP, has suggested strengthening the Equalities Act, after details emerged of a men-only charity dinner – attended by senior figures from business and politics – at which hired “hostesses” were allegedly groped, sexually harassed and propositioned by guests. |
| Senior female politicians lined up to condemn “stomach-churning” behaviour by attendees of the Presidents Club charity dinner, held at London’s exclusive Dorchester hotel and hosted by comedian David Walliams. | Senior female politicians lined up to condemn “stomach-churning” behaviour by attendees of the Presidents Club charity dinner, held at London’s exclusive Dorchester hotel and hosted by 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. | |
| You can share your story by using our encrypted form here. | |
| We will feature some of your contributions in our reporting. | |
| The annual event, attended by 360 guests including bankers, entrepreneurs and celebrities, included an auction to raise money for good causes. | The annual event, attended by 360 guests including bankers, entrepreneurs and celebrities, included an auction to raise money for good causes. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The women were allegedly groped repeatedly and invited by diners to join them in bedrooms at the hotel, while some reported men putting their hands up their skirts. | The women were allegedly groped repeatedly and invited by diners to join them in bedrooms at the hotel, while some reported men putting their hands up their skirts. |
| One of the staff, who the FT said were only selected for the job if they matched the criteria of being “tall, thin and pretty”, reported an attendee exposing his penis to her. The women were allegedly told to wear black underwear to match short, black, skirts they had been given for the evening. | One of the staff, who the FT said were only selected for the job if they matched the criteria of being “tall, thin and pretty”, reported an attendee exposing his penis to her. The women were allegedly told to wear black underwear to match short, black, skirts they had been given for the evening. |
| It was claimed that they were paid £150 for a six-hour shift, plus £25 for a taxi home, not including any time they spent at an after-party at which one woman was told to “down that glass, rip off your knickers and dance on that table”. | It was claimed that they were paid £150 for a six-hour shift, plus £25 for a taxi home, not including any time they spent at an after-party at which one woman was told to “down that glass, rip off your knickers and dance on that table”. |
| Lots at a charity auction held at the dinner included a night at Soho’s Windmill strip club and a course of plastic surgery, accompanied by the slogan: “Spice up your wife.” | Lots at a charity auction held at the dinner included a night at Soho’s Windmill strip club and a course of plastic surgery, accompanied by the slogan: “Spice up your wife.” |
| A guest list seen by the Guardian, named billionaire Sir Philip Green, Dragons’ Den entrepreneurs Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis and TV presenter Vernon Kay. Political figures listed among invitees included Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi and Labour peer and party fundraiser Jonathan Mendelsohn, while current and past supporters of the event include Formula 1 magnate Bernie Ecclestone and property developer Nick Candy. It is unclear if any of the men attended and there is no suggestion that they engaged in the activities referred to. | A guest list seen by the Guardian, named billionaire Sir Philip Green, Dragons’ Den entrepreneurs Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis and TV presenter Vernon Kay. Political figures listed among invitees included Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi and Labour peer and party fundraiser Jonathan Mendelsohn, while current and past supporters of the event include Formula 1 magnate Bernie Ecclestone and property developer Nick Candy. It is unclear if any of the men attended and there is no suggestion that they engaged in the activities referred to. |
| Miller said: “British business need to take a long hard look at itself. How seriously is business taking equality at work if they are still using men only events for entertainment? | Miller said: “British business need to take a long hard look at itself. How seriously is business taking equality at work if they are still using men only events for entertainment? |
| “If business leaders are simply paying lip service to equality issues then perhaps it’s time the government gives the Equality Act some real teeth?” | “If business leaders are simply paying lip service to equality issues then perhaps it’s time the government gives the Equality Act some real teeth?” |
| Labour MP Jess Phillips, a leading campaigner in efforts to tackle a culture of sexism and harassment, said: “This is horrendous example of rich men acting with disgusting entitlement. | Labour MP Jess Phillips, a leading campaigner in efforts to tackle a culture of sexism and harassment, said: “This is horrendous example of rich men acting with disgusting entitlement. |
| “It cannot just be me calling it out, let’s hear from the establishment, the Conservatives, business, that this is disgusting and not in their name.” | “It cannot just be me calling it out, let’s hear from the establishment, the Conservatives, business, that this is disgusting and not in their name.” |
| The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, said the report was “simply stomach-churning”. | The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, said the report was “simply stomach-churning”. |
| She said: “More than 300 rich businessmen were perfectly happy to attend such an event, which shows the rotten, sexist culture still alive and kicking in parts of the business community. Time’s up on this crap.” | She said: “More than 300 rich businessmen were perfectly happy to attend such an event, which shows the rotten, sexist culture still alive and kicking in parts of the business community. Time’s up on this crap.” |
| Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality party said: “Men from across political, business, and entertainment worlds are implicated in this grotesque circus of sleazy rich men pawing at young women and buying crude ‘lots’ in the name of charity. | Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality party said: “Men from across political, business, and entertainment worlds are implicated in this grotesque circus of sleazy rich men pawing at young women and buying crude ‘lots’ in the name of charity. |
| “Those who are worried that women’s confrontation of sexual harassment has gone too far and turned into a ‘witch hunt’, look no further.” | “Those who are worried that women’s confrontation of sexual harassment has gone too far and turned into a ‘witch hunt’, look no further.” |
| Conservative MP Anna Soubry said: “I should imagine the charities will be appalled that their good name has been sullied in this way. | Conservative MP Anna Soubry said: “I should imagine the charities will be appalled that their good name has been sullied in this way. |
| “It was never acceptable but it’s 2018 for goodness sake and I thought – hoped – we’d moved on to being a more civilised decent society. Well we need to.” | “It was never acceptable but it’s 2018 for goodness sake and I thought – hoped – we’d moved on to being a more civilised decent society. Well we need to.” |
| Other lots included in the charity auction included lunch with foreign secretary Boris Johnson hosted by former England cricketer Ian Botham, or tea with Bank of England governor Mark Carney. | Other lots included in the charity auction included lunch with foreign secretary Boris Johnson hosted by former England cricketer Ian Botham, or tea with Bank of England governor Mark Carney. |
| The Presidents Club told the FT: “The Presidents Club recently hosted its annual dinner, raising several million pounds for disadvantaged children. 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 Presidents Club told the FT: “The Presidents Club recently hosted its annual dinner, raising several million pounds for disadvantaged children. 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.” |
| In a statement, the Dorchester hotel said it had a zero-tolerance attitude to harassment and said it would cooperate with the authorities if any complaints were made. | In a statement, the Dorchester hotel said it had a zero-tolerance attitude to harassment and said it would cooperate with the authorities if any complaints were made. |
| The Bank of England told the FT it “did not approve any prize for auction on the occasion described nor would it have for that organisation under its guidelines for charitable giving”. | The Bank of England told the FT it “did not approve any prize for auction on the occasion described nor would it have for that organisation under its guidelines for charitable giving”. |
| UK news | UK news |
| Women | Women |
| Sexual harassment | Sexual harassment |
| Charities | Charities |
| London | London |
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