May ‘appalled’ by sordid goings-on at Presidents Club

Theresa May has said she was “appalled” by reports of a menonly charity dinner where hostesses were allegedly groped and sexually harassed.

The Prime Minister added that she will work to ensure women are “genuinely” respected after the Presidents Club annual event at London’s Dorchester Hotel was shut down.

Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi has been criticised after it emerged that he had been among the guests at the fundraiser.

Meanwhile, Labour peer Lord Mendelsohn was effectively sacked from his role as a shadow business and international trade spokesman after attending the controversial event.

Mrs May told BBC News: “I understand that Nadhim Zahawi left early from that particular event but, when I read the report of that event that took place, frankly, I was appalled.

“I thought that that sort of approach to women, that objectification of women, was something that we were leaving behind.

“We’ve made progress but it’s very clear that there is a lot more for us to do and what I want to see, and I will continue to work as I have done over my years in politics, continue to work to a point where women are genuinely accepted and respected as equals.”

Environment Secretary Michael Gove offered his support to Mr Zahawi on Twitter, saying: “My friend @nadhimzahawi is a really decent and honourable guy who’s in public life to help others – part of a great team at DFE (Department for Education).”

But pressure on Mrs May to act over Mr Zahawi could now intensify after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked Lord Mendelsohn to step down.

A Labour Lords spokesman said: “Jeremy Corbyn has this evening asked Lord Mendelsohn to step back from the frontbench as he attended the Presidents Club dinner, and he has agreed to do so.

“Lord Mendelsohn has previously made clear that he attended part of the dinner as president of a charity that received support from the event and he had no knowledge of an after-party.”