Women hired to entertain businessmen and politicians at a men-only charity fundraising gala in London were groped, propositioned and sexually harassed at the secretive event, the Financial Times newspaper said on Wednesday. In a hastily convened debate in parliament, furious women politicians lined up to denounce the behaviour described in the article as despicable. The Presidents Club gala had been an annual fixture on London’s social calendar, attended by property tycoons, financiers, politicians and other powerful men. The Financial Times said the Presidents Club trust had two joint chairmen, London property developer Bruce Ritchie and Meller, who also runs a chain of schools. “We are in discussions with the organisers and an investigation is underway.”The Charity Commission, the not-for-profit sector regulator, said it would be urgently investigating the Presidents Club.

Source: Hindustan Times January 24, 2018 11:41 UTC