Aviva PLC (LSE:AV.) has quit the CBI following a second allegation of rape from a woman working at the business lobby group.
The FTSE 100 listed insurer made the decision after the latest allegations were published by the Guardian.
In a statement Aviva said: "In light of the very serious allegations made, and the CBI’s handling of the process and response, we believe the CBI is no longer able to fulfil its core function — to be a representative voice of business in the UK."
“We have therefore regrettably terminated our membership with immediate effect.”
Earlier, the Guardian reported a woman alleged that she was raped by two male colleagues when she worked at the Confederation of British Industry.
The woman told the Guardian the incident took place when she was employed at an overseas office of Britain’s most prominent business lobby group.
She said she blamed the culture at the CBI for having no support after what she claims happened to her.
Brian McBride, the CBI president, said in a statement: “These latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our heart goes out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour that is described."
This is the second woman to claim she was the victim of rape at the CBI – it follows another member of staff who alleged she was raped by a manager on a 2019 summer boat party on the River Thames.
Separately, the Guardian has been told that a woman based at the organisation’s London office was stalked by a male colleague in 2018.
Aviva, was followed by Phoenix Group PLC and several other insurers, with reports that the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, a trade body, informed the CBI last week that it was cancelling its membership due to the allegations.
Separately, Sky Business reported that Abrdn, the major fund manager, was also considering its position with the organisation.
The potential departure of Abrdn would be acutely embarrassing for CBI president Brian McBride who serves as a non-executive director at the firm.