Kennel Club spokesman reinstated after allegedly quitting over use of n-word
A long-standing secretary of The Kennel Club who resigned amid accusations of racism has been reinstated, according to Companies House.
Records show Caroline Kisko, 68, the organisation’s former official spokesman, now holds an active role on the board of directors.
Ms Kisko quit in 2019 after a staff member reportedly complained she said “n----- in the woodpile”.
She was said to have apologised immediately after using the expression during a meeting with two colleagues.
However, a member of staff whose partner is black made a complaint and the club subsequently announced her departure “to pursue other interests”.
The crisis at the organisation, which runs Crufts, then escalated after whistleblowers wrote a letter to each member of the board of directors claiming that there was a climate of fear for staff at work.
Upon her exit, Ms Kisko was also given a six-figure payment, according to reports.
The revelation threatened to plunge the club into further turmoil.
An review ordered by the board into the circumstances of Ms Kisko’s departure after 21 years with the group revealed the payment had breached the club’s rules.
‘We are unable to comment’
The board and almost 1,500 members are supposed to ratify at a special meeting all payments made over £100,000, as laid out in the club year book.
A Kennel Club spokesman said: “The Kennel Club Limited is a membership organisation and has a non-executive board of directors, who work on a voluntary basis.
“Any member of The Kennel Club is eligible to stand for the board and the wider Kennel Club membership elect directors to the board at their annual meeting.
“We are unable to comment on any speculation or provide information about any individual employee or former employee of The Kennel Club.
“The Kennel Club is deeply committed to equality and inclusion, and diversity is not just valued but is an integral part of our culture in the workplace.”
The spokesman added: “We cannot comment on individual employment cases, including those that took place in 2019.”
