Staff at UK's largest Pride event allege bullying and misconduct under sacked CEO

Staff at UK's largest Pride event allege bullying and misconduct under sacked CEO12 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJosh ParryLGBT & Identity reporterPride in LondonChristopher Joell-Deshields took over Pride in London in 2021Leaders of the UK's largest Pride festival failed to act for years on complaints about alleged bullying and misconduct by its former boss, a BBC News investigation has heard.Current and former volunteers have alleged that during Christopher Joell-Deshields' leadership of Pride in London (PIL), they witnessed a director's company credit card being used for a holiday to Mykonos, "questionable" financial decisions, and a lack of transparency over his £87,500 salary.We are reporting the details of our investigation as a protracted civil battle between PIL and its former CEO Joell-Deshields, who was sacked earlier this month, draws to a close.The 55-year-old is due to be sentenced later this year after admitting two counts of contempt of court for failing to comply with a legal order to hand back company property, including access to bank accounts and internal systems.He did not admit contempt in relation to an accusation he failed to return a company laptop, which he says was bought for him personally. PIL are not pursuing this claim.Lawyers for PIL had argued he withheld the property in order to "frustrate" an internal investigation into separate allegations he spent thousands of pounds worth of vouchers - which were donated by a sponsor for volunteers - on items for personal use including luxury perfumes and Apple gadgets.Joell-Deshields has been approached for comment.In a statement, PIL said it was "committed to upholding the highest standards of governance, accountability and integrity".PIL is one of the world's largest and most high-profile annual Prides - featuring a parade, a festival in Trafalgar Square and several fringe events - and is largely funded through corpora...