Couple who run LGBT news website PinkNews furiously deny sexual misconduct allegations as they pen open letter branding claims 'false, inconsistent and malicious'
Share:
The couple in charge of the world's largest LGBT website have furiously denied sexual misconduct allegations, branding these 'false, inconsistent and malicious'. In a first statement since concerns were raised about their behaviour, PinkNews masterminds Benjamin Cohen and Anthony James have spoken out by way of an open letter where they claim the public has been 'misled'.
![[Stephan Kyriacou (centre) told the BBC documentary that Mr Cohen slapped him on the bottom in front of everyone at a work Christmas Party]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/19/92990501-14202941-Stephan_Kyriacou_centre_told_the_BBC_documentary_that_Mr_Cohen_s-a-2_1734463495824.jpg)
It comes after a BBC documentary had aired the complaints of 30 former and current workers who alleged a culture of heavy drinking leading to instances of inappropriate behaviour from them both. The pair initially stated they were unable to respond to the allegations due to an ongoing criminal investigation but are now saying they are unhappy the BBC decided to go ahead and broadcast the documentary anyway despite their lack of comment.
![[Sir Keir Starmer attends The PinkNews Awards in October 2022 at Church House, Westminster]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/19/92990725-14202941-Sir_Keir_Starmer_attends_The_PinkNews_Awards_in_October_2022_at_-m-23_1734463803487.jpg)
Complaints levelled in the programme, PinkNews: Behind Closed Doors, include several former employees alleging they had witnessed Mr James kissing and touching a junior colleague who appeared too drunk to consent. One accuser said: 'When the CEO of the company is supposedly the biggest liability at the Christmas party, it's not a great look.'.
![[Then-prime minister Theresa May attends the PinkNews Awards 2017 in London]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/19/93083369-14202941-Then_prime_minister_Theresa_May_attends_the_PinkNews_Awards_2017-m-24_1734463818834.jpg)
Cohen, 42, is the founder of PinkNews, while his husband and former GP Dr James, 35 is chief operating officer. A family-run business, Mr Cohen's father Richard is also the chief lawyer. The couple say they have now been 'forced' to publish their statement on the allegations and that they do so 'with regret'.
![[Mr Kyriacou (pictured) claims that workers would call Mr Cohen a 'creep' on the work group chat but felt they couldn't complain out of fear.]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/19/92990633-14202941-Mr_Kyriacou_pictured_claims_that_workers_would_call_Mr_Cohen_a_c-a-6_1734463603580.jpg)
