Overview
- London LGBT Community Pride CIC said its directors are investigating a number of allegations against chief executive Christopher Joell-Deshields.
- The newly constituted board has placed him on leave and named events director Rebecca Paisis as interim CEO, though Joell-Deshields disputes this and says he remains in post.
- An external law firm has issued an interim report and requested corroborating evidence from Joell-Deshields regarding voucher-related spending.
- A sponsor’s fraud systems flagged £7,125 of volunteer food and drink vouchers spent on items such as an Apple HomePod, AirPods and designer colognes, with one flagged account linked to the CEO.
- Whistleblowers also allege bullying and a toxic culture, and the inquiry heightens scrutiny of an event that receives a City Hall grant reported at up to £625,000 alongside corporate sponsorship.