The founder of PinkNews ‘is no longer’ a disability charity’s trustee after allegations of sexual misconduct at the LGBTQ+ publisher emerged.
Until this week, Humanity & Inclusion’s website listed Benjamin Cohen as a member of its board of trustees, according to internet archives seen by Metro. Mr Cohen had been a trustee since 2011.
His name and photo have since been wiped from the list after the BBC revealed that 33 former and current PinkNews workers had made allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour against both Mr Cohen and his husband Dr Anthony James.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the charity told Metro: ‘Benjamin Cohen is no longer a trustee of Humanity & Inclusion UK (HI UK). He was a trustee of HI UK from 2011 until 2024.
‘He has been on paternity leave since May 2024 and recently decided to formally step down from his role. He submitted his resignation on December 11, 2024.
‘We are aware of the allegations in the media regarding Benjamin Cohen. We take safeguarding very seriously at HI UK. There have never been any complaints made about the behaviour of Benjamin Cohen in his role as a trustee of HI UK.’
Mr Cohen still listed Humanity & Inclusion on his X bio as of Wednesday evening, along with his role as PinkNews CEO and his marriage to Dr James.
Both the charity and PinkNews have since been removed, however, the PinkNews website still lists Mr Cohen as its CEO.
Dr James has been suspended as non-executive director at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
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Five former members of staff at PinkNews staff told BBC News how they saw Dr James kissing and touching a younger colleague who was ‘too drunk to stand or talk’ and ‘unable to consent’.
The alleged incident occurred outside a London pub where they had gathered for a PinkNews event.
One former staff member said: ‘Anthony was just forcing himself on somebody who wasn’t able to make that decision for themselves because of how intoxicated they were.’
The Trust said it was ‘aware of allegations made on the BBC against Dr Anthony James, associate non-executive director, in his role as PinkNews’ chief operating officer.’
A spokesperson said: ‘Following these allegations, we made the decision on Tuesday 10 December to suspend him from his associate non-executive role pending further information.’
The BBC investigation spoke to 33 former and current PinkNews workers, who made allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour against both Dr James and his husband, PinkNews founder Benjamin Cohen.
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PinkNews says it ‘exists to inform, inspire change and empower people to be themselves’.
No claims were made of wrongdoing during Dr James’ time at the NHS.
Representatives of Mr Cohen and Dr James told the BBC dismissed the allegations as false but said they were not able to provide a statement in response to the claims published by the BBC on Monday.
Metro has contacted PinkNews for comment.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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