Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Cancer charity Macmillan accused of 'racism and bullying', staff allege 'a massive covering up culture'

A review commissioned by the charity said staff spoke about both overt and covert racism and ableism

Cancer charity Macmillan accused of 'racism and bullying', staff allege 'a massive covering up culture'

A “painful” internal review at Macmillan Cancer Support said the workplace culture at the British charity was “systematically racist” where complaints were “brushed under the carpet”, media reports said.

The review, conducted by Social Justice Collective, found that bullying and exclusion were widespread at the charity whose approach to diversity was “superficial, tokenistic or theoretical.”

According to the report seen by The Times, no concern was raised when the “P**i” word was used in an online meeting attended by the staff.

It also refers to an incident where a senior staff member told his colleague to make sure a Muslim fundraising group which visited its offices went through a security check.

The report commissioned by the charity’s leadership said, “Staff described an organisational culture at Macmillan that is systematically racist and ableist. Staff spoke in detail about, and shared examples of, racism and ableism — both overt and covert. Reported behaviours and incidents ranged from discriminatory comments and microaggressions to exclusion and bullying. Many staff reported acutely oppressive and painful experiences that had impacted and continue to impact on their mental health and wellbeing.”

A staff member also complained of “a massive covering up culture” at the London-based organisation which provides advice and support to cancer patients.

“While many staff spoke about individual allies or positive relationships, Macmillan was frequently described as an oppressive and unsafe environment for minoritised staff to work in, let alone to thrive, feel valued or a true sense of belonging,” according to the report which is marked “strictly confidential”.

Macmillan, which has an annual income of £195 million, apologised to the staff who felt discriminated against and admitted the report made a “painful reading”.

It also vowed to address the issues and said it was “profoundly sorry that anyone has ever suffered a distressing or harmful experience at Macmillan”.

Steven McIntosh, executive director of advocacy and communications said, “we are committed to making sure their strength in speaking up will help us make the changes needed to move us forwards.

“The findings of this report serve as a powerful and humbling demonstration of how much more we have to do in order to support our colleagues who identify as disabled and/or ethnically diverse, and we are determined to do so. We know we have fallen short both in culture and processes, and we will urgently address this to ensure that everyone at Macmillan feels valued and safe as we continue to deliver on our mission to ensure that everyone can live well with cancer.”

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less