shame of presidents club

what did you make of the story about the all-male Presidents Club Charity Dinner?

A tale of 300 businessmen and 130 hostesses which has sparked outrage over unacceptable behaviour.

The Financial Times sent in an undercover reporter to find out what was going on. So surely the event already had a reputation?

It’s only now that women are finding their voice that there’s an outcry around this sort of thing. Good.

The founder of the agency which contracted the hostesses is said to have described it as a “Marmite” job, which women either loved or hated.

It’s hard to imagine any woman enjoyed allegedly being groped, assaulted or constantly harassed by a bunch of drunken businessmen.

Some people have argued that the women should have known what they were letting themselves in for. That when you’re instructed to wear black underwear and high-heeled shoes and you’re given a skimpy dress to wear, it tells you what that job is going to be like.

Yet just look at what girls wear when they go out. Lots of girls dress up, wear high heels and put on make-up.

It does not mean they are “asking for trouble”, or giving permission to be groped. Neither were these women.

I’ve heard it said that women on a hen night who go to see strippers behave just as badly. The difference is the guys who choose to be strippers are an act and know what they are signing up for.

I’m not saying that’s right, but I do think there’s a difference with the women at the so-called Sleaze Ball.

They were there to do a job, to host tables and basically charm businessmen into parting with loads of money for charity. The chance of being groped or assaulted shouldn’t have been part of the deal.

Prizes the guests could bid for included a free lap dance at a Soho club and plastic surgery that could be used to “add spice to your wife”. What?!

The Presidents Club Charitable Trust has raised £20m for children’s charities over the years.

But now some, including Great Ormond Street Hospital, are handing back funds. No charity wants to return donations, but we live in a much more politically correct society these days. And they are sending out a very strong message by returning the money.

They don’t want to be associated with a seedy event like this. They won’t take money at any cost. And I think that’s a strong, solid stance to take.

Not every charity is in a position to turn down money, though, so I wouldn’t criticise any that keep the cash.

Let’s hope we are finally going to see an end to the “boys will be boys” culture. Its time is up.

By returning cash raised at the ‘sleaze ball’, charities are sending out a strong message The invite to the contentious event