'Criminal behaviour' | Pride event organisers face civil claims risk over CEO scandal, lawyer warns

Pride event organisers in London could face civil claims from volunteers and staff following the dismissal and conviction of its former chief executive, with a leading lawyer warning the organisation must answer difficult questions about how alleged misconduct was allowed to persist.

The warning follows a BBC News investigation which heard that leaders of Pride in London failed to act for years on complaints about alleged bullying and misconduct by former CEO Christopher Joell-Deshields.

The 55-year-old was sacked earlier this month and is awaiting sentencing after admitting two counts of contempt of court relating to failure to return company property.

Reacting to the findings, Thomas Beale, Partner and Head of the Bullying & Harassment team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, said the outcome of the case could open the door to legal action from those affected.