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Some of the UK’s biggest and best-known businesses say they are closely watching the unfolding crisis at the CBI.

Sky News contacted more than 30 FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies on Thursday and found that many of those who are CBI members are keeping their membership – for now.

It comes after a number of allegations of sexual misconduct were revealed by a national newspaper at the beginning of this week, prompting senior politicians such as Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch to pull out of events involving the organisation.

A Rolls-Royce spokesperson described the allegations as “deeply concerning” and told Sky News: “We expect the CBI to thoroughly investigate and take real action on any findings from that investigation.

“We will await the outcome of the investigation before considering our membership.”

The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) has commissioned an independent investigation by law firm Fox Williams to look at all of the allegations, and it expects initial findings to be presented soon after the Easter break.

Among the allegations is one of rape at the CBI’s summer boat party in 2019, as well as claims of attempted sexual assault at the same party.

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Commenting on whether it would end its association with the CBI, a spokesperson for professional services company Deloitte said: “We are aware of the allegations and are awaiting the conclusions of the independent investigation led by an external law firm.”

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Its rival PwC made a similar comment, as did at least two other major companies, who did not want to comment on the record.

Supermarket and department store chain M&S went further, saying it had “immediately” written to the CBI’s director general after the allegations were published in The Guardian on Monday.

An spokesperson told Sky News it had sought “reassurances that these are being taken seriously and fully investigated as part of the independent investigation already established”.

“We have also requested information on how CBI colleagues involved are being supported while the investigation takes place and what is being done to give them confidence in the process.

“These are very serious allegations, and we will continue to talk to the CBI as the investigation progresses.”

Earlier, Andy Wood, chief executive of brewing company Adnams, told the BBC he had held discussions with his leadership team over potentially leaving the group.

On Monday shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy pulled out of a CBI event she was due to attend on 25 April and on Tuesday the CBI itself paused all external events.

On Wednesday, business secretary Kemi Badenoch postponed a meeting with the UK’s five leading business groups – which included the CBI – due to the unfolding crisis.

The news would have been a blow to an organisation that lobbies politicians on behalf of its members with the aim of making business-friendly policies.

On Thursday, EY, the big four accountancy firm, ended the secondment of one of its employees to the CBI.

Earlier in the week, the CBI supplied a statement to Sky News, saying: “The CBI has treated and continues to treat all matters of workplace conduct with the utmost seriousness, which is why last month, we commissioned a thorough investigation by an independent law firm into all recent allegations that have been put to us.

“It would undermine this important process and be damaging and prejudicial to all the individuals involved to comment on these allegations at this point.

“We will not hesitate to take any necessary action when the investigation concludes.”

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Man banned from every Boots store

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Man banned from every Boots store

A shoplifter has been jailed and banned from every Boots store after stealing £107,000 worth of goods from the high street chain.

Liam Hutchinson, 32, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a year in prison at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He was also issued with a criminal behaviour order, banning him from every Boots store in the UK for 10 years – and the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea for five years.

Metropolitan Police detectives trawled through hours of CCTV footage to find that Hutchinson had committed 99 shoplifting offences at Boots stores in the borough between May and August 2025.

Hutchinson stealing from shelves in Boots on CCTV. Pic: Met Police
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Hutchinson stealing from shelves in Boots on CCTV. Pic: Met Police

Often stealing large quantities of razors and electrical items, his crimes cost the retailer £107,000 in revenue, Sergeant Jack Vine, of the Met’s volume crime team said.

“We recognised the impact Hutchinson’s actions were having on the retailer, and through working with staff, we built a strong case of evidence against him, which has been reflected in his sentencing,” he added.

“This result should act as a warning that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated, and that we will come down hard on those who show a complete disregard for the law, terrorise retail workers and cost businesses thousands of pounds.”

Liam Hutchinson being caught by officers in bodycam footage. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Liam Hutchinson being caught by officers in bodycam footage. Pic: Met Police

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Nicky Harrop, head of security, fraud, and contract management at Boots, said the company have been investing “significantly” in anti-theft measures to make sure stores “remain a safe and respectful environment” for customers and staff.

The Met says it is prioritising shoplifting, having solved 163% more cases in London compared to the same time last year.

It is also dedicating up to 80 additional officers across London’s West End, with 90 more in high-risk theft areas.

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Sky News coverage to be featured on MSNBC as part of commercial agreement

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Sky News coverage to be featured on MSNBC as part of commercial agreement

Sky News has reached a multi-year deal with one of the most influential US news networks, which will see it pay for use of its cross-platform coverage. 

The channel’s live broadcasts, TV packages and online journalism are to be used by MSNBC as part of a commercial agreement, the details of which were not disclosed.

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All Sky News’ British and foreign TV coverage is included in the agreement, which will begin on 1 October, further bringing the reporting to a US audience.

MSNBC will have no role in the commissioning of Sky coverage, and no MSNBC programming will be taken by Sky News, as part of the arrangement.

MSNBC is building up its operations ahead of its planned spin-off from NBC News and parent company Comcast.

The new, separated entity will be named Versant and be a public company with shares traded on a stock exchange.

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Comcast is also the parent company of Sky News. Sky’s relationship with its sister news organisation NBC will be unaffected by the deal.

More than 500 journalists work for Sky News from 11 bureaus, including Moscow, Beijing, Jerusalem, and Johannesburg.

MSNBC is a major cable news network, watched by an average of 1.2 million viewers a day, so far this year, with its average viewer watching for more than eight hours a week.

Its YouTube and TikTok channels have more than 6.2 billion views combined so far this year.

“In this moment of consequential and historic news events happening around the world that are rapidly reshaping our collective future, we are honoured to bring Sky News’ premium, on-the-ground reporting and roster of top journalists to the MSNBC community,” said MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler.

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Man arrested in connection with airports cyber attack

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Man arrested in connection with airports cyber attack

A man has been arrested in the UK by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of an investigation into a cyber incident which caused chaos at European airports.

Flights were cancelled at Brussels Airport, and several more were delayed at Heathrow, Berlin, and Dublin, among others, leaving passengers stranded.

The incident, which was reported on 19 September, hit the systems of Collins Aerospace, which operates check-in and boarding systems.

Passengers reported being unable to check in online, queuing for hours, and their flights eventually not taking off.

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NCA officers, supported by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, arrested a man in his 40s in West Sussex on Tuesday evening on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offences. He has been released on conditional bail.

Collins Aerospace, whose network was affected, runs systems for several airlines at multiple airports across the world. Pic: PA
Image:
Collins Aerospace, whose network was affected, runs systems for several airlines at multiple airports across the world. Pic: PA

Deputy director Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, said: “Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing.

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“Cybercrime is a persistent global threat that continues to cause significant disruption to the UK.

“Alongside our partners here and overseas, the NCA is committed to reducing that threat in order to protect the British public.”

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