Bell Pottinger, who runs a leading public
relations agency and adviser to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has been
expelled from the industry’s trade association after an investigation
found its secret campaign to stir up racial tensions in South Africa to
be the worst breach of ethics in its history. .
The
Public Relations and Communications Association said Bell Pottinger was
unethical and unprofessional, had brought the industry into disrepute
and has banned the firm from its membership for at least five years. .
The
punishment, unprecedented for a firm of Bell Pottinger’s size, was
handed down after the PRCA investigated a complaint from South Africa’s
main opposition party that the PR firm sought to stir up anger about
“white monopoly capital” and the “economic apartheid” in South Africa. .
Bell
Pottinger was being paid £100,000 a month by client Oakbay Capital, the
holding company of the wealthy, powerful and controversial Gupta
family, who have been accused of benefiting financially from their close
links to the South African president, Jacob Zuma. Both have previously
denied such a relationship. .
“Bell
Pottinger has brought the PR and communications industry into disrepute
with its actions and has received the harshest possible sanctions,” said
Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA. .
“The
PRCA has never before passed down such a damning indictment of an
agency’s behaviour.” The PRCA said the Bell Pottinger campaign was
“likely to inflame racial discord in South Africa”.
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