Lord Ranger challenges decision to revoke his CBE over allegations of sexual harassment

NEW DELHI: British businessman and philanthropist Lord Rami Ranger has expressed devastation over the recent decision to revoke his Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Lord Ranger strongly denied any criminal wrongdoing and questioned the fairness and transparency of the process that led to the forfeiture of his honour.

The CBE was originally awarded to Lord Ranger for his significant contributions to British business and for promoting community cohesion. However, the Forfeiture Committee decided to revoke the honour after a report by the Lords standards watchdog found he bullied and harassed a journalist on social media.

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The complaints included a series of incidents, some dating back to 2022:

1. Social Media Controversy: A deleted tweet by Lord Ranger referencing a Southall Sikh Gurdwara trustee alleged involvement in anti-India activities.
2. Criticism of BBC Documentary: Lord Ranger had publicly challenged a BBC Panorama documentary that implicated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots, for which Modi was exonerated by India’s Supreme Court. Lord Ranger apologized for comments made during the debate.
3. Dispute with Journalist: An online disagreement between Lord Ranger and journalist Poonam Joshi, which was upheld by the Lords Standards Commissioner, led to mutual public apologies and behavioral training for Lord Ranger.

Lord Ranger emphasized that he had already taken corrective measures, including public apologies and rehabilitative training, following these incidents. He also stepped away from social media to avoid further controversies.

Lord Ranger’s supporters have highlighted his extensive contributions to the UK over three decades. As the founder of a business that earned five consecutive Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade, he has helped connect Britain to over 130 countries and created numerous jobs.

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Beyond business, Lord Ranger has donated millions to British universities, charities, and initiatives such as Combat Stress, The Princes’ Trust, and Syrian refugee aid. His advocacy for interfaith dialogue includes founding the Pakistan, India, and UK Friendship Forum and chairing the British Sikh Association.

The decision to revoke Lord Ranger’s honour has sparked concerns about the Forfeiture Committee’s transparency. His spokesperson criticized the investigatory process as lacking fairness and due process, pointing out that no criminal activity had been committed.

“The honours system is designed to recognize individuals who contribute significantly to the nation. To use it as a tool to penalize freedom of speech is deeply troubling,” the statement read. It further alleged that the committee’s actions could encourage spurious complaints in the future.

Lord Ranger is exploring legal avenues to challenge the decision and clear his name. He remains committed to his charitable and community work despite the setback.

“This is a sad day for the honours system. Lord Ranger’s decades of service to the UK should not be overshadowed by a process that appears to lack fairness and transparency,” his spokesperson concluded.

The revocation of Lord Ranger’s CBE has sparked a broader debate about the accountability and procedures of the honours system, with calls for an urgent review to ensure fairness and impartiality.