The chief executive of Pride in London is on “leave of absence” amid allegations of harassment and bullying.
Christopher Joell-Deshields, 54, has also been accused of abusing his position by buying luxury perfumes with some £30,000 worth of food and drink vouchers donated by a sponsor.
On Wednesday, the LGBTQ parade’s board of directors contacted staff and stakeholders to offer support while an internal investigation is under way.
They were told the organisation remains committed to upholding a safe, open and inclusive environment that is compliant with its legal and governance obligations.
Mr Joell-Deshields, in the role since 2021, has been replaced as CEO on an interim basis by director of events Rebecca Paisis.
According to the Guardian, Mr Joell-Deshields declined to comment but appeared to reject the new board’s authority to oust him.
He said: “I remain in my role as CEO of Pride in London and as a director of London LGBT Community Pride CIC.
“The current legal and governance matters relate to the organisation itself. These matters are being addressed through the appropriate channels, and it would be inappropriate to litigate them in the press.
“Nothing in this statement should be interpreted as an admission of any allegation, nor does it comment on any other individual. For that reason, I will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Hundreds of groups took part in July’s Pride in London parade from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, and on to Whitehall Place celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history.
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and singer Olly Alexander attended the UK’s largest such headlined by soul legend Chaka Khan.
According to a leaked copy of the whistleblowing disclosure, the newspaper said he is facing a series of allegations from volunteer directors and others that include misappropriation or misuse of gifts or company funds, behaviour damaging or potentially damaging to the company’s reputation, harassment or bullying of personnel and a “serious breach” of bullying, harassment and finance policies.
Pride in London is financed by a City Hall five-year grant up to £625,000 as well as its own fundraising.
Further allegations against Mr Joell-Deshields stated in a directors’ letter include overseeing a “toxic” culture and making inappropriate comments on WhatsApp to a disabled volunteer who he described as “obnoxious”.
He is also said to have invited a former volunteer, who had been dismissed for bullying, to serve as his runner. The director of people intervened to prevent the appointment, the Guardian said.
Mr Joell-Deshields reportedly says he’s the victim of a witch hunt and expressed “concern about the intentions of the people who had instigated the investigation”.
A spokesperson for London LGBT Community Pride CIC told the Standard: “The Board of Directors is aware of a number of allegations and is taking action to investigate these claims.
“We are not in a position to comment further while these investigations are taking place, save to say that we take such allegations extremely seriously, and remain committed to upholding a safe, open and inclusive organisation that is compliant with its legal and governance obligations.”
