UK

Crisis-hit UK business lobby group shunned by big business ahead of crucial vote on its future

Companies such as BT Group Plc, PwC and Paddy Power-owner Flutter Entertainment Plc are pulling their backing amid a sexual assault scandal within the Confederation of British Industry

Rain Newton-Smith, newly-appointed director-general of CBI. Picture: Darren Staples/Bloomberg

Big businesses are shunning a crucial meeting to decide the future of the Confederation of British Industry, the UK’s largest business lobby group,as it faces potential collapse amid a sexual assault scandal.

Companies such as BT Group Plc, PwC and Flutter Entertainment Plc — the FTSE 100 owner of PaddyPowerBetfair — will not take part in Tuesday’s vote, according to people familiar with the matter.

Dozens of the UK’s largest businesses suspended engagement with the ...