The National has spoken out about “ludicrous” allegations in the media that it is rejecting job candidates if they voted for Brexit.
The allegations are contained in an article in the Spectator by its columnist the former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore.
According to a current National Trust employee, who naturally remains anonymous: ‘At interviews people are asked how they voted in the Brexit referendum, and rejected out of hand if they voted to leave.’
— The Spectator (@spectator) July 1, 2021
✍️ Charles Moorehttps://t.co/NoauROPVPg
It quotes a “current Trust employee” as saying that “at interviews people are asked how they voted in the Brexit referendum, and rejected out of hand if they voted to leave”.
The ‘employee’ is then quoted as saying there is “an atmosphere of fear and bullying” at the Trust.
The article has been shared on social media by The Spectator this week, prompting questions from Trust members and the public to the National Trust about the allegations.
The National Trust’s social media account has replied robustly to many of these queries, saying the allegations are “ludicrous” and also pouring scorn over suggestions it is bullying staff.
In answer to a number of Trust members and the public on Twitter on whether the allegations are true, the National Trust said the “allegations are without evidence or foundation, and some are plain ludicrous”. It adds that “we’ve asked for a retraction from the Spectator”.
Hello, thanks for getting in touch. This isn't correct. These allegations are without evidence or foundation, and some are plain ludicrous. We’ve asked for a retraction from the Spectator.
— National Trust (@nationaltrust) July 1, 2021
In response to another poster on Twitter, the trust joked that it was busy “flushing someone’s head down the toilet” adding that they are planning to “pinch someone’s lunch money”. This Tweet has since been deleted.
Sorry for the delay, we were flushing someone's head down the toilet - with all the bullying and that. These allegations are without evidence or foundation, and some are just plain ludicrous. Now, please excuse us, we've got to pinch someone's lunch money.
— National Trust (@nationaltrust) July 1, 2021
Other responses have seen the charity offer an assurance that “we wouldn’t ask anyone about their voting preferences in any job interview”.
We agree, Bill. These allegations are without evidence or foundation, and some are plain ludicrous. We wouldn’t ask anyone about their voting preferences in any job interview.
— National Trust (@nationaltrust) July 1, 2021
A spokesperson for the National Trust reiterated that it has asked the Spectator for a retraction, adding "the Editor’s Code of Practice clearly states that the press must take care not to publish misleading or distorted information, and we will follow this up with the Independent Press Standards Organisation”.
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