Bono has responded to bullying allegations made within the charity he co-founded.
The U2 frontman says the charity are ‘deeply sorry’ after claims were made relating to bullying in their Johannesburg offices.
The ONE charity was set up by the Dubliner and current CEO Gayle Smith in 2004, but was hit with this scandal late last year.
“I need to take some responsibility for that. We are all deeply sorry. I hate bullying, can’t stand it.” Bono told The Mail on Sunday.
“The poorest people in the poorest places being bullied by their circumstance is the reason we set up ONE. So to discover last November that there were serious and multiple allegations of bullying in our office in Johannesburg left me and the ONE board reeling and furious.”
“In fact, if they would agree, I would like to meet them and apologise in person.”
Allegations of unprofessional misconduct and bullying were made against employees, which have been condemned by both leaders.
“Staff were called names, and some said their manager put them to work on domestic tasks in her home.” Gayle Smith revealed in a statement.
“The investigation also found the situation was not adequately addressed nor resolved by executive management at the time, and that ONE’s board was not, in my view, properly or fully informed.”
“We do not discount any allegation – we investigate them and will continue to do so should others arise.”
