The head of London’s Pride parade, Christopher Joell-Deshields, is facing allegations of using funds for personal gain. The High Court has ordered him to relinquish control of the organizing body's bank account. Joell-Deshields, who was suspended as chief executive last month, agreed to hand over banking passwords, social media, and email accounts.
The organization behind the parade, London LGBT Community Pride CIC, sought an injunction, claiming Joell-Deshields's actions since his leave of absence risked damaging future parades. Legal documents alleged he breached contractual obligations regarding company property and confidential information and threatened to continue doing so.
During a hearing, Joell-Deshields's representative stated his client would comply with the order to hand over company property. However, this did not affect his defense against Pride's legal claims of breach of contract or any other wrongdoing, which he denies. Pride is pursuing a separate legal claim against the suspended chief executive.
London's annual Pride parade is the UK's largest LGBTQ+ event, attracting approximately 30,000 participants. Joell-Deshields has been chief executive since 2022. He was suspended at the end of August due to allegations of impropriety, including purchasing luxury perfumes with donated food and drink vouchers intended for Pride volunteers. He is currently under internal investigation.
The court also ordered Joell-Deshields to hand over his mobile phone and laptop to an independent investigator examining the allegations, along with the passwords cited in the application. Pride accuses Joell-Deshields of misusing company funds, financial mismanagement, bullying, safeguarding failures, and attempting to conceal and evade accountability.
Concerns about governance and the chief executive's conduct were raised in June, followed by a formal whistleblowing disclosure by volunteer directors at the end of last month. A new board was established at the end of August.
Among the allegations is the potential misuse of £30,000 worth of food and drink vouchers provided by a sponsor for volunteers. The sponsor's head of ethics and compliance reported that fraud systems detected the use of £7,125 of vouchers on luxury items, including an Apple HomePod, Apple AirPods, and cologne. The sponsor advised that the transactions suggested personal benefit. One of the flagged accounts belonged to Joell-Deshields.
Pride commissioned external lawyers to investigate, and an interim report was written. According to the report, Joell-Deshields claimed the vouchers were used for gifts and prizes, and the HomePod was used in the office and at events. Joell-Deshields's barrister stated he denied any wrongdoing.
5 Comments
Bermudez
The internal investigation and legal claims are important, yet no one gives back the reputation once you lose it.
Michelangelo
This isn't just about stealing, it's about eroding trust in the organization. What a bad example!
ZmeeLove
He denies any wrongdoing; we need to hear his side of the story. Don’t rush to judgment!!
Donatello
What about the volunteers who relied on those vouchers? This is deeply disrespectful of them.
Michelangelo
I am disgusted by the actions of Christopher Joell-Deshields, the community has given their support and trust, it is heartbreaking to see such an event.