Boris Johnson says he will not enter GLA for Stonewall’s top employer list
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said he will not enter the Greater London Authority in Stonewall’s annual Top 100 employers list, despite the authority coming in third place last year.
According to Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly member, Johnson said he was planning to “take a new approach that brings Londoners together, rather than dividing them”.
Pink Paper reports that he told her: “I recognise the advantages of Stonewall Equality Index for organisations that are striving to improve their diversity profile in relation to sexual orientation equality, and regard Stonewall as a key GLA stakeholder with whom I will continue to engage.
“However, my ultimate aim is to achieve equal life chances for all, including the LGBT community, and take a new approach that brings Londoners together, rather than dividing them. It is for this reason that I have decided not to enter the Stonewall Index.”
Johnson added: “I recognise the advantages of Stonewall Equality Index for organisations that are striving to improve their diversity profile in relation to sexual orientation equality, and regard Stonewall as a key GLA stakeholder with whom I will continue to engage.
“However, my ultimate aim is to achieve equal life chances for all, including the LGBT community, and take a new approach that brings Londoners together, rather than dividing them. It is for this reason that I have decided not to enter the Stonewall Index.”
Doocey commented: “Last summer, Boris Johnson’s office was in such a mess at City Hall that they failed to enter the GLA into the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, despite the GLA’s record of regularly entering in the past. Now we discover that Boris Johnson will not even honour his commitment to enter the GLA in future years.
“The mayor’s decision is a regressive decision and sends an appalling message out to employers across London.”
Michelle Fullerton, Stonewall’s workplace programmes manager, said: “Stonewall works with almost 500 employers across the public, private and third sector through our Diversity Champions programme. Each year hundreds of organisations participate in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers. This year we expect more entries than ever before.
“Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers allows organisations to identify areas for improvement and to showcase what they are already doing to support lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. It is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to both current and potential staff, and helps them to ensure their workplace is one where gay people are supported and feel able to be themselves.”
